Biker injured and pony killed in collision on Dartmoor
A MOTORCYCLIST was taken to hospital with serious injuries after an early-hours collision with a pony on Dartmoor.
Emergency services were alerted to the crash on the B3212, near Princetown, shortly after 2am yesterday.
Ambulance crews took the rider to Derriford Hospital.
His injuries were described as "serious" but are not thought to be life-threatening.
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The pony died in the collision, police said.
Firefighters from Princetown assisted police in removing debris from the road and made the motorcycle safe.
A spokesman for Devon and Cornwall Police said it was unlikely there had been witnesses to the accident, given the time and location.
The spokesman said the injured rider would be interviewed once he had recovered.
The owner of the pony, he added, was being contacted with the news.
The accident coincided with the annual pony drift, when animals are brought off the moor for sale.
Maureen Rolls, of South West Equine Protection, said it was an "anxious" time for ponies that were released – and could lead to erratic behaviour.
"Ponies that are released back onto the moor will be looking for their herd and the places they know," she said.
"It can lead to them acting out of character.
"People need to be aware of that so that they can drive with more caution."
Comments
by baldwinpw
Tuesday, October 09 2012, 11:57AM
“'blogtodi'
I was just pointing out that even when sticking to the speed limit on the moors, things can happen. I was not saying the biker was speeding or riding irresponsibly. Obviously you are not a biker. A speedy recovery to a fellow biker.”
by liss_tucker
Tuesday, October 09 2012, 1:45AM
“I know this man and funnily enough, he's a vegetarian. He loves animals- he was actually on his way home to feed his cat. This accident was purely an ACCIDENT- how can you people be so judgmental without knowing anything! This is an intellegant and respectful person. Instead of bad mouthing him- why not wish him better.”
by redlands
Monday, October 08 2012, 9:50PM
“i saw the crashed bike about two hours after it happend. it was in a bad state. hope the ridder get well soon..”
by blogtodi
Monday, October 08 2012, 9:00PM
“All the more reason to ride according to the conditions. Who would be stupid enough to ride a bike at 40mph in pitch darkness, on the moor when you would know there were livestock around?
Weren't missing the facts but didn't think anybody would be daft enough to come up with that excuse...”
by baldwinpw
Monday, October 08 2012, 8:19PM
“Some seem to missing the fact that this happened at 2 am, ie. during the hours of darkness. Although headlights are good these days if an animal suddenly appears out of darkness what chance due you have. In a car you will have substantial damage, on a bike, even at 40mph you have no chance, a bit like hitting a brick wall.”
by blogtodi
Monday, October 08 2012, 2:53PM
“And don't forget the sheep...Although their witness statements might be a bit woolly :-)”
by m_dalston
Monday, October 08 2012, 1:22PM
“Seems the D&C police were wrong when they said "it was unlikely there had been witnesses". There are 4 on this forum already.”
by rob5gt
Monday, October 08 2012, 1:07PM
“another biker who cannot ride. Yes Pony's do move in front of you but if you were paying attention then you would not hit it. Simple !”
by blogtodi
Monday, October 08 2012, 10:58AM
“Yes I can, tim. I don't see many motorcyclists driving defensively on the moor. The moor is their excuse to open the throttle without fear of a speed camera. I spend many hours on the moor and know this from experience, not malice.
Your link shows a cyclist riding at speed along an open track. He sees an animal approaching from the right...what does he do? Absolutely nothing. Defensive riding at its best. Did he think it was a car driver? The result was the same...Make him think in the future, perhaps.”
by timplymouth
Monday, October 08 2012, 10:46AM
“You can't say for certain if it was the motorcyclists fault or not, sometimes accidents just happen
http://tinyurl.com/3l5cbbo”