Rider Jailed for Horror Crash That Claimed Fellow Biker's Leg
The video has been released to act as a warning to riders and to press home the need for patience, especially in bad weather
Devon and Cornwall Police have released a shocking onboard video showing a rider making a reckless overtake, in terrible weather conditions, which ended in a crash that claimed another rider's leg.
Kathryn Goff, 52, from Exeter, who is in the camera footage, was riding their Kawasaki along the A3052 at around 5.45pm on Thursday, 9 March 2023. Goff can be seen in the video following an RAC van, which was recovering the vehicle of her partner. Faced with what can only be described as terrible riding conditions, mist and heavy rain, Goff can be seen on multiple occasions clearing the rain from their visor, clearly struggling to see through the rain.
After following the RAC van for some time, Goff can be seen to wind on the throttle of the bike, pulling out onto the opposite side of the road to overtake the vehicle. Once alongside the RAC, the headlight of an oncoming vehicle can clearly be seen approaching at speed, although instead of backing off or pulling closer to the RAC van, Goff continues with the overtake, seemingly unaware of the risks involved.
The oncoming bike, a Honda, collided with Goff’s Kawasaki at speed, the impact resulted in the rider of the Honda suffering traumatic leg injuries that would lead to their leg being amputated.
Goff appeared at Exeter Crown Court for sentence on Friday 25 April, pleading guilty to causing serious injury by dangerous driving. Goff was sentenced to 20 months in prison and disqualified from holding a licence for four years for causing the collision.
Officer in the case, Alan Kennedy from the Serious Collisions Investigation Team, said:
“Kathryn Goff’s actions on the day of the collision resulted in an injury which has changed the life of another motorcycle rider. This was a totally avoidable collision.
“Goff’s riding fell far below the standard expected of a road user and the decision to perform the overtake was made even worse by the poor weather conditions at the time.
“We hope this case will serve as a reminder that every manoeuvre can have tragic consequences.”
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Simon (AKA Toad) has been working within the motorcycle industry for more than twelve years, and a member of the motorcyclist family since birth. Growing up around British-built single and twins, it was inevitable that a life on two wheels was on the cards, from a very early age!
