Shocking crash caught on helmet camera

HELMET camera footage shows the moment a van turned across the path of an oncoming motorcyclist at a junction, causing a crash.

Van driver Ian Paul Smith was fined £80 with no disqualification after admitting careless driving.

Motorcyclist Kevin Thomas Quirk somehow escaped with a fractured elbow following the crash, near Betws-y-Coed, North Wales, on August 26 last year.

Quirk, 32, was riding his Triumph Tiger 800 at 44mph when Smith, 57, turned across the road in front of him at the junction of the A5 and A470.

Quirk's scream can be heard as he realises the impact is inevitable.

The camera dislodges from his helmet, tumbles and comes to a rest in the road, where moments later it captures Quirk staggering to lean on a wall.  

Quirk, of Pensby on The Wirral, was taken to Glan Clwyd Hospital at Bodelwyddan and treated for a fractured elbow.

Smith admitted careless driving and told Flintshire Magistrates’ Court at Mold he had not seen the motorcyclist before turning.

Smith, of Maesgwyn Road in Penrhyn Bay, Llandudno, initially gave no comment when asked whose fault it was, due to an insurance contract, but later admitted responsibility.

He had a clean driving licence.

An earlier hearing had been adjourned so the defendant could attend and the court could consider disqualification.

In a letter of mitigation, Smith said the sun had been low in the sky and behind the approaching rider.

He said it was his first accident in many years and that he needed his licence for his “man and a van” business.

In addition to the £80 fine, he was ordered to pay £85 costs and a £30 surcharge.

Inspector Alun Davies of the North Wales Police said: “This was a shocking piece of driving.

“It was only by good fortune the motorcyclist wasn’t more seriously injured.

“I’d like to remind the motoring community to remain fully focused whilst driving – even a split-second’s lack of concentration can have tragic consequences.”

Here's another smidsy incident ('sorry mate I didn't see you'):