Coroner investigates whether pothole caused fatal motorcyle crash in Great ­Alpine Rd, Ensay

THE Coroner is investigating whether a dangerous road defect overlooked by VicRoads caused a horrific motorcycle accident that killed a Victorian couple.

Did pothole kill bike pair?

THE Coroner is investigating whether a dangerous road defect overlooked by VicRoads caused the horrific motorcycle accident that killed a Victorian couple on their weekend roadtrip.

The road authority has prepared a 20-page report for Victoria Police’s Major Collision Investigation Unit on a 15cm bump near the crash scene on the Great ­Alpine Rd, near Ensay.

It has emerged another motorcyclist was involved in a serious crash in the same spot less than 24 hours before the couple was killed.

Ringwood father-of-three Mark Rodgers, 47, and partner Jodi Andrews, 42, died after their bike suddenly veered into oncoming traffic, hitting a police car, on March 7.

It is understood authorities have ruled out speed as a factor in the investigation and are now focusing on a sealed pothole as the main contributing factor.

VicRoads admitted conducting a hazard check on March 5 — two days before the crash — however, the damage was not reported.

VicRoads made temporary repairs in the days after the deaths and fixed the defect permanently on March 26.

Motorcyclist Justin Ezard, 46, was a friend of the couple and was riding in convoy with them from Bairnsdale when the crash occurred.

He said his bike was jolted by the same bump but he was able to keep control because he slowed to 40km/h after seeing the crash ahead.

“We saw the bike in the middle of the road. It was engulfed in flames 20-foot high and the bodies were lying there,’’ he said.

Grieving sister Joelle Buckley, 45, said her brother had been a keen rider for more than 20 years and loved weekend trips on his Harley-Davidson.

“He was an extremely happy and positive person. He was loved by everyone who met him,” she said.

VicRoads officer Peter Todd said the matter was under investigation.

“VicRoads is working closely with Victoria Police,’’ he said.

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