Upper Coomera motorbike rider, disability worker Dave Fisher remembered following M1 fatal crash
A disability support worker killed in a motorcycle crash on the Gold Coast M1 has been remembered as a “kind man”.
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A disability support worker killed in a motorcycle crash 12 days ago has been remembered as a “kind man”.
Dave Fisher, 53, was a motorcycle lover who worked for In-Home Care and Supported Living for people with disabilities.
The Upper Coomera resident died while riding on the M1 on February 4.
Friends, family and the motorcycling community remembered his life on Tuesday at Integrity Funerals in Parkwood.
Whiskey Throttle Collective held a memorial ride from the Gold Coast Harley-Davidson store in Nerang to the funeral.
Jack Baugh said Mr Fisher was a “kind man” who would be missed by those who rode with him.
“Every ride out we did, Dave joined us. We had many meals and beers together and attended many bike shows together. He was one of our keen supporters,” he said.
“He was meant to join us on the Saturday after this tragedy happened.”
Another rider, Matt Valentine from Whiskey Throttle Collective said: “The riding community is pretty close knit, so when something like this happens we make sure we can support the family.”
After the funeral, there was one last ride for Mr Fisher involving those who attended.
Cop’s plea after fatal M1 crash, year’s first road fatality
February 7, 2022
A MOTORCYCLIST was killed on the M1 in a horror crash on the same day police issued a public appeal to curb biker deaths.
Police say the Upper Coomera man, 53, was riding south when he lost control of his motorbike and crashed into a guardrail just after 3pm Friday.
Paramedics tried to save the man but he died at the scene.
The crash was the first fatality on Gold Coast roads in 2022.
Friday’s fatality is now being investigated by the forensic crash unit.
The cause of the crash is not known.
Just hours earlier, police issued a safety appeal to help reduce motorcycle deaths, revealing February 2021 had been the year’s worst month for biker fatalities.
Thirteen people were killed in 28 days across the state, making up 20 per cent of total motorcycle fatalities for 2021, assistant commissioner Ben Marcus said.
“One fatal crash is one too many and we also have to consider other riders who have lifelong injuries,” he said.
The Gold Coast recorded a number of serious motorcycle crashes in 2021.
Acting Chief Superintendent Rhys Wildman said the fatality was a tragedy and even more so that it occurred on the same day as the public appeal.
“It’s one too many,” he said. “(The Gold Coast) had 15 (fatalities) last year.
“Every serious collision or fatality has not only implications for the rider or person involved, but it flows onto the families, friends and the broader community.
“We don’t want a repeat of 2021. We’re really asking the community and for riders to take care, but also for other road users to be aware of motorcyclists to keep aware of their surroundings.”
Speaking generally about motorcycle crashes in 2021, Mr Marcus said an analysis of incidents in the first three months of last year showed that riders were at fault almost three quarters of the time.
“Of those crashes, 93 per cent involved excess speed for the conditions, 68 per cent were inexperienced riders and 62 per cent were found to have engaged in dangerous operation or intoxication (or suspected intoxication),” Mr Marcus said.
“An alarming 56 per cent were not wearing a helmet or had their helmet fitted incorrectly – this is incredibly concerning.
“As riders, our safety is largely up to us. On a motorcycle, you are 30 times more likely to die in a crash than if you were in a car – when everything on the road is bigger than you, you just have to be more careful.
“We’re asking all riders and motorists when they take to the roads this month, or any time this year, to take their responsibility very seriously.”
Police confirm motorcyclist dies
February 4: THE police Forensic Crash Unit is investigating a horror crash on the M1 that claimed the life of a 53-year-old motorcycle rider.
Police said the Upper Coomera man was riding southbound along the motorway just after 3pm on Friday when he lost control of his motorbike and crashed into a guardrail.
Critical care and the High Acuity Response Unit paramedics from Queensland Ambulance Service rushed to his aid, but sadly the man died at the scene.
Footage of the crash via boots on the ground @keithjwoods. Police have collected the motorcycle from the crash. #GoldCoast Latest here: https://t.co/LhztzVnyGypic.twitter.com/cLqU1sDq8F
— Navarone Farrell (@navaronefarrell) February 4, 2022
#Helensvale - Paramedics are at the scene of a serious motorcycle crash on the Pacific Motorway southbound at 3.10pm. The High Acuity Response Unit is responding.
— Queensland Ambulance (@QldAmbulance) February 4, 2022
The accident happened just north of Exit 57, which serves Oxenford and Hope Island.
A black motorcycle was seen being wheeled by police from the scene, while a white sheet was erected on a barrier in the median strip of the motorway, obstructing the view of motorists travelling north towards Brisbane while police investigators did their work.
The accident caused significant delays for commuters. One southbound lane was kept open for most of the afternoon, but traffic still stretched back as far as Beenleigh.
Roads near the crash scene including Dreamworld Parkway and Foxwell Road also experienced heavy delays.
The scene was finally cleared at 6pm, but delays continued well into the evening.
The tragic accident happened on the same day police made an appeal to road users to take extra care to ensure the safety of motorcyclists.
Speaking earlier in the day, before the latest accident, Assistant Commissioner Ben Marcus said six motorcyclists had already been killed on the roads this year.
“One fatal crash is one too many,” Assistant Commissioner Marcus said.
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