Friday Pulse: Police motorcycle involved in serious crash at Fulham Gardens

CCTV showing a serious crash between a car and a police motorcycle in Fulham Gardens this morning has been released. The officer sustained serious but not life-threatening injuries. WATCH IT HERE

A MOTORCYCLE police officer was facedown and bleeding heavily from his head after a serious rear-end crash in Adelaide’s West on Friday.

CCTV vision from a nearby business shows the on-duty police officer riding his police motorbike west on Grange Rd at Fulham Gardens just after 7.30am when he crashes into the back of a Toyota Hilux. The Hilux appeared to be attempting to either perform a U-turn or travel across the eastbound lanes and into a driveway across the road. As the motorcycle and the car collided, the officer — an experienced senior constable with the Traffic Support Branch — was thrown forward on to the road. Police say several people, including the driver and only occupant of the Hilux, stopped to render assistance. The officer was rushed to the Royal Adelaide Hospital by ambulance in a serious but stable condition. Major Crash is investigating the smash. Shaye McDonald was driving home after dropping off a friend at work when she came across the confronting crash scene. “The police officer was on the ground, he was facedown,” she said. “(Council workers) lifted him up and then he just fell back down again. “He had blood pouring from his face.” Ms McDonald said the 4WD driver appeared “very shocked and very emotional” at the scene. Leon McCalla, who lives near the crash site — which was at a break in the median strip where motorists can do a U-turn — said drivers often tailgated along the road, making it dangerous for those wishing to perform a U-turn. “You have to brake well in advance for people to realise that you’re turning there because they come right up your backside,” he said. SA Police Inspector Ben Spencer, from the Traffic Support Branch, said police were “very concerned about our colleague”. Police speak on officer's motorbike crash “He has sustained serious and significant injuries to his arms and to his head but we are thankful that his injuries are not life-threatening,” he said. “The nature of policing can at times be dangerous. “Sometimes their role as police officers puts them in harm’s way and that’s what’s happened.” Inspector Spencer said police would look at CCTV from the officer’s motorcycle and nearby businesses as part of their investigation “If charges are appropriate, whether it’s against the police officer or the other driver, then we’ll do what’s appropriate,” he said. Police ask anyone with information to call Crime Stoppers on 1800 333 000. Adelaide's Afternoon Newsbyte, July 21