Biker hits wheelbarrow on A13

A MOTORCYCLIST LUCKILY escaped death after his bike collided with a wheelbarrow.

Andrew Farmer, 52, from Shoebury, was travelling on his blue Honda motorcycle on the A13, near Orsett, on September 14 at 7am and went to overtake a vehicle in front of him.

As soon as he pulled out, he saw a wheelbarrow in the road and ‘ploughed’ into it.

Mr Farmer, a London courier, said: “The wheelbarrow must have fallen off a truck. A car and bike in front of me both went to overtake another vehicle and I followed them.

“I saw them swerving slightly, but couldn’t see why. I didn’t see it until it was too late. I was thrown off my bike.

An ambulance arrived but Mr Farmer said he just “had cuts and bruises”. Currently, he is recovering from a cut knee and a bruised shoulder and ribs and has not been able to work since the incident took place.

Mr Farmer added: “My bike is badly damaged, but I am lucky to be alive. Someone may have seen what happened or someone might know who didn’t bother to stop when the wheelbarrow fell off their vehicle. It was a miracle no one was killed.

“I only had third party insurance, so it has been a struggle to get my bike mended so I can get back to work. I am hoping someone might have pictures because it is a crime to let something fall off a vehicle.”

The police arrived at the scene following reports of a motorcyclist colliding with a wheelbarrow.

A spokeswoman said: “One lane of the A13, just after the junction with the A1089, was closed for recovering of the wheelbarrow.