STEVE DOWNES

2 July 2006

A man is in hospital with a serious leg injury after the latest in a string of crashes involving motorcycles on an accident blackspot in north Norfolk.

The 42-year-old, who has not been named, was riding his Honda 1000cc bike on the A149 at Potter Heigham when it collided with a blue Ford Escort driven by a 23-year-old man.

The car driver, who suffered suspected neck and back injuries, gave a positive breath test but was then released by police pending further enquiries and analysis of a blood specimen.

It is the latest motorcycle crash on the notorious stretch of road between Smallburgh and Potter Heigham.

In May 2004, 24-year-old Michael Hodds, from Rollesby, died at Potter Heigham when his motorbike collided with a people carrier.

The previous year, a host of motorcyclists died on the same road.

Community worker John Hollebon, 45, of Stalham, died in April 2003, and Nigel King, 36, of Eccles and Gregory Banester, 19, of Catfield, were killed in a head-on crash between Catfield and Sutton in July.

Speed cameras were installed on the stretch in September 2003 following the death of father-of-three David Drake in another motorcycle crash.

Last year, “Think Bike” signs were put up by police along the road between Stalham and Caister.

And police have regularly visited pubs frequented by bikers to talk to them about defensive driving and bike safety.

The latest incident happened on Saturday at 8.20pm, when the motorbike, which was travelling in the Stalham direction, collided with the Escort, travelling towards Yarmouth.

Witnesses who saw the manner of driving of either vehicle before the accident, call PC Paul McKay at North Walsham road police on 0845 456 4567.