Motorcyclist dies after crashing during peak-hour in Ridgehaven
A YOUNG man has died after crashing his motorbike during peak-hour traffic in Ridgehaven.
A YOUNG man has died after he lost control of his motorbike and crashed in front of peak-hour commuters at Ridgehaven.
Emergency services, including police and paramedics, were called to Golden Grove Rd at 7.15am on Wednesday after the 22-year-old rider reportedly hit a Stobie pole.
His bike then skidded about 60m along the road.
Police say the road was busy at the time as many motorists had left early for work because of Clipsal 500 road closures in the city.
Drivers stopped to help but the Modbury Heights man, who was wearing a helmet and protective clothing, died at the scene.
SA Police acting inspector Kevin Carroll said Major Crash investigators were looking into the cause of the smash.
“There are a number of things we’re going to be investigating (and) speed is one of those,” he said.
“He’s come off the bike and possibly hit a light pole but that’s still under investigation.”
Deborah Lindley, 49, lives near the crash site and was in bed when the accident occurred.
“I heard an extremely loud motorbike, going extremely fast,” she said. “Laying there (in bed) I thought ...’you should slow down’ and then I heard a bang, a really hard bang.
“To me, it didn’t sound like it hit a car or something — It sounded like it hit something a bit harder than that and then I heard a (woman) scream and I heard the bike sliding down the road.”
Ms Lindley said emergency services arrived within minutes.
“(I feel) sorry for the family,” she said. “As a mum, I just couldn’t think of anything worse than hearing that news.”
Ms Lindley said motorcyclists often sped along Golden Grove Rd.
“The amount of motorbikes that go flying down here, it is crazy,” she said.
Friends of the victim visited the crash scene later on Wednesday, where they placed a cross and flowers, and had a drink while sharing memories.
Tea Tree Gully Mayor Kevin Knight gave his condolences to the man’s family.
“It’s always a tragedy when someone loses their life, especially a local resident,” he said.
Acting Inspector Carroll urged motorcyclists to take extra care when on the road.
“We know that motorcyclists are one of our vulnerable road users so we ask them to be particularly careful, especially at this time of the morning when there’s a lot of traffic around, and to obey all road rules and certainly keep within the speed limit,” he said.
Police have closed Golden Grove Rd for southbound traffic from Milne Rd and motorists are advised to avoid the area.
The state road toll is now 11 which is the same for this time last year.