I had only heard part of the item on the ITV news at teatime today, even I was guilty for thinking that part of the road is open road and that speed and/or poor judgement might have played a part but it seems not widely reported that there appears to have been a brick left in the middle of the lane.
Commiserations to family & friends
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www.shieldsgazette.com/news/police_name_biker_killed_in_accident_1_3323568>
"Published on Tuesday 26 April 2011 14:00
A SOUTH Tyneside biker who died in a crash on one of the UK’s most popular motorcycle routes has been named.
Stephen William Gray, 43, was killed yesterday when his bike hit a dry stone wall on the A686 near the Hartside Summit, just outside Alston, in Cumbria.
Emergency crews rushed to the scene, but Mr Gray, who was riding a Honda 1,000cc sports bike, was pronounced dead.
The A686 Hartside Pass, between Penrith and Alston, is popular with bikers for its stunning views, hills, sharp bends, and the cafe at its 1,904ft summit.
Many of the riders who frequent it are from South Tyneside.
Bill Ormston, owner of Bill’s Motorcycles in Jarrow, said: “I am extremely sad to hear about this accident.
“That part of Cumbria has some lovely roads, with long stretches and bends.
“I’ve been up there myself many times, and it’s extremely popular with South Tyneside riders at this time of the year.
“You occasionally hear of people coming off their bikes around Hartside, but I’ve not heard of any serious accidents up there for a long time.”
Tributes to Mr Gray, of Lemon Street, Tyne Dock, South Shields, were left on websites and online message boards today.
One message said he may have been with a group of other bikers at the time of the accident.
It read: “I’ve just had a phone call to say one of the lads who we go out with has lost his life.
“Apparently they were heading to Alston, then on to Hartside when, mid-corner, there was a brick on the road. He hit it.”
Another rider said: “I am really sorry to hear the sad news. It brings home the vulnerability we all face when riding our bikes. Our thoughts are with his family and his riding friends.”
A spokesman for Cumbria Police said officers were called to the scene at about 11.40am.
He added: “A motorcycle ridden by a 43-year-old man from the South Shields area left the road on a right-hand bend and collided with a dry stone wall. He was pronounced dead at the scene by a doctor.
“The road was closed for four hours while police collision investigators examined the scene and cleared the road.”
Police are appealing for witnesses to call Pc Nick Dumphreys on 0845 33 00 247.
More bikers have already been killed in Cumbria this year than for the whole of 2010.
The Easter Monday accident was the fifth of 2011, compared with three last year."
R.I.P.
