BIKER FLOWN TO HOSPITAL
A MOTORCYCLIST has been flown to hospital after a serious bus crash on Lorne’s main strip.
Ambulance Victoria’s helicopter was called in to fly a man in his 40s to The Alfred hospital about 11.30am yesterday after a crash with a bus.
Ambulance Victoria spokesman John Mullen said the man was transferred in a critical condition after the crash between his motorbike and a bus, which occurred on the Great Ocean Road between Bay St and Beale St — near the Lorne Hotel.
Yesterday afternoon, Victoria Police Leading Senior Constable Natalie Dean said the investigation into the crash was ongoing.
“It is believed a motorbike was struck by a bus on the Great Ocean Road just before 11.30am,” she said.
“The motorcyclist, who is yet to be identified, has been airlifted to hospital with serious injuries.
“The male driver of the bus is assisting police with their enquiries. The exact circumstances surrounding the collision are yet to be determined.” A HUGE crowd has rallied in support of the retention of the Anglesea Bike Park.
Amid Alcoa’s push to allow the recreation space to be taken over by new housing, several hundred people yesterday showcased their love of the facility.
Advocates used World Bicycle Day to call on authorities to save the land and put public health and recreational use ahead of development and profit.
Petitions in support of the one-hectare bike park have collected about 5500 signatures, with their passionate campaign already gaining concessions from the Surf Coast Shire.
The council has offered to buy the park from Alcoa for $500,000 to ensure its continued use.
But Federal Corangamite MP Sarah Henderson yesterday upped the ante and asked the aluminium giant to consider the people over profit.
“I call on Alcoa to hand the land over to the community at no charge,” Ms Henderson told the gathered crowd.
“What the council should be doing is negotiating with Alcoa to turn it over at no cost.”
The lease for the park is due to expire on June 30, with the council to request monthly lease extensions from Alcoa until its future is decided.
The site forms part of a larger holding in Anglesea for Alcoa, including the disused power station and coal mine.
If the 11-year-old bike park is rezoned residential, it is esti- mated to have a development worth around $25 million. Residents, who would like to limit the extent of new housing, argue that the value of the outdoor recreation sector is important to the local economy.