Man dies in bike crash
Rider tragically falls foul on sandy track
A 21-YEAR-OLD Brinsmead man died in Cairns Hospital late yesterday afternoon after falling from his dirt bike at a vacant lot in Smithfield.
The young rider suffered internal injuries after he lost control while making a left turn, causing his front wheel to “bite the sand” and the handlebars to strike his chest.
Forensic Crash Unit were investigating the accident, which occurred about 2.15pm, at the sandy track on McGregor Rd, east of the Captain Cook Highway.
Cairns Forensic Crash Unit Sergeant Scott Ezard said although it was not an authorised track, it had been formed by motorcycle enthusiasts over time.
“Clearly those two boys were trying to do the right thing and ride in an area away from residents and at this stage it appears to be a terrible tragedy,” he said. “It is a sandy track that would require some sort of skill level to negotiate.
“It is a case where you have two young men who are down enjoying their Sunday afternoon and this tragedy unfolded.”
The track has several hills, but police confirmed the rider was on an even surface when he fell.
The man had been riding with his mate, a 22-year-old man from Bayview Heights, who called an ambulance immediately after the accident.
He was assisting police with the investigations yesterday afternoon.
Sgt Ezard said police would like to speak to other riders who use the track to determine if inexperience may have been an issue.
“I don’t envisage speeding to be a factor,” he said.
“It was being ridden on a sandy area. It is more of a case that the front wheel may have bitten into the sand, which has high-sided the rider.”