South Yorks police appeal for info on A57 crash

POLICE have today renewed their appeal for witnesses to a serious road traffic collision in which a motorcyclist suffered serious injuries.

Mr Gordon Swift of Dinnington was travelling along the A57 on his Yamaha motorcycle when he was in collision with a Ford Fiesta car that was travelling in the opposite direction.

It is reported that a green Ford Fiesta car was travelling from the Todwick Cross Roads direction towards the Motorway. Mr Swift was travelling in the opposite direction and was followed by a white LDV van.

As the ford Fiesta travels round a sweeping left-hand bend the driver appears to lose control of the car and crosses on to the opposite side of the road, colliding first with the motorcycle and then with the van. Both the Fiesta and the motorcycle leave the carriageway.

Mr Swift suffered extensive injuries and was taken to the Northern General Hospital where he was treated for the following injuries:

A severely crushed right leg which had to be amputated below the knee, a broken right femur, multiple fractures to both arms, 6 Broken ribs, reconstructive surgery to his right elbow and a punctured left lung.

Mr Swift has now been discharged from hospital and is continuing his long recovery at home.

The officer leading the investigation in to the collision, PC Jon Underwood explained: "We believe that there are several witnesses who could assist the police with this investigation, but they have yet to be traced.

"We believe that an off duty nurse attended at the scene and we would ask that she comes forward and makes contact with us. We also believe that there was another car that was following the Fiesta but was not involved in the collision. The driver of this vehicle has also not been traced.

"I would appeal to anyone who may have seen this incident, as well as the two individuals who I have mentioned, to make contact with the South Yorkshire Police Accident Witness Line on Sheffield 0114 2202970."