Fatal accident on Mount Panorama, Bathurst

Neale · 19-01-2015, 06:19 PM

One thing I'm sure we have all done when we visit Bathurst is to do a couple of laps of the track.

On the weekend there was a fatal accident when a motorbike & 4WD collided between The Esses & Forest Elbow. It's another reminder how careful we must be on the roads & how easy accidents can happen.

Here is an article published today in the local Bathurst newspaper
http://www.westernadvocate.com.au/st...-crash/?cs=114

A MAN has been charged following fatal crash between motorbike and four-wheel-drive on Mount Panorama on Sunday.

Around 12.35pm on Sunday, a 43-year-old man was riding a motorbike, with a 14-year-old female pillion passenger on a section of Mount Panorama known as 'The Esses'.

A Toyota Prado 4WD was travelling in the opposite direction, when the two allegedly collided.

Police and emergency services were called to the scene and immediately attended to the two people travelling on the motorbike.

The rider of the bike died at the scene of the crash, while his 14-year-old passenger suffered a number of injuries and was airlifted to Westmead Hospital.

The driver of the 4WD, a man aged 58, and his female passenger did not suffer any injuries, and the man was taken to Bathurst hospital for mandatory blood and urine tests.

An investigation, led by the Metropolitan Crash Investigation Unit, commenced.

Following inquiries, a 58-year-old man was arrested and taken to Bathurst Police Station.

He was charged with dangerous driving occasioning death, negligent driving occasioning death, dangerous driving occasioning grievous bodily harm, cause bodily harm by misconduct and negligent driving.

The man was granted bail, to appear at Bathurst Local Court on Monday, February 23.

Motorists are reminded that when it is not being used for motor-racing, the Mount Panorama racing circuit is a two-way stretch of road bound by a 60km/h speed limit.

Police have urged anyone with information in relation to this incident to call Crime Stoppers on 1800 333 000 or use the Crime Stoppers online reporting page.

Information provided will be treated in the strictest of confidence.

NSW Police remind people they should not report crime information via social media pages.

**Raptor** · 19-01-2015, 06:38 PM

It should be a one way road.

I think we all know which way I mean too.

Something a bit more realistic than 60 kmh in appropriate sections wouldn't hurt either. In fact it would probably be safer.

SensationFG8 · 19-01-2015, 06:40 PM

Wonder if it's worthwhile making it a one way stretch of road?

I don't condone or endorse what allegedly happened here but that seems like an easy way to reduce the risk to me.

Doh beaten by seconds by raptor...

Stefan · 19-01-2015, 06:41 PM

Interesting that the forbie driver was charged. I just assumed he was the innocent party in this, for no other reason than I assumed the bike was testing the track...

SensationFG8 · 19-01-2015, 06:41 PM

They must have evidence that says otherwise or I doubt they would charge...

**kypez** · 19-01-2015, 06:47 PM

Actually, as much as I'd hate it, to make it safe, it should a one way road clockwise. Too many idiots and this accident highlights the very real outcome of these "accidents".

I doubt the driver will get a big punishment if the past is anything to go by... But there have been a few people made example of. Lets see what happens here.

RIP Fellow rider...

**kypez** · 19-01-2015, 06:50 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Stefan

Interesting that the forbie driver was charged. I just assumed he was the innocent party in this, for no other reason than I assumed the bike was testing the track...

Some of us actually enjoy the fresh air without going break neck speed... But I do find it interesting that on the car forums people always think its the biker and on the bike forums, its the cager.

Bit like the BMW guy who killed another rider (last month or the month before) on the Old Pacific Hwy in Sydney north. Ended up on the wrong side and the poor biker didnt even see him coming.

Neale · 19-01-2015, 06:52 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Stefan

Interesting that the forbie driver was charged. I just assumed he was the innocent party in this, for no other reason than I assumed the bike was testing the track...

the forbie driver was charged because he was driving on the wrong side of the road going down the hill just before Forest elbow.

**Falcon Coupe** · 19-01-2015, 06:54 PM

Sounds like he was speeding and using more than his fair share of road looking at the charges.
One would think a rider with a 14 year old passenger would be taking a little more care than usual.

Quote:

He was charged with dangerous driving occasioning death, negligent driving occasioning death, dangerous driving occasioning grievous bodily harm, cause bodily harm by misconduct and negligent driving.

**Giant Cranium** · 19-01-2015, 06:58 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Falcon Coupe

Sounds like he was speeding and using more than his fair share of road looking at the charges.
One would think a rider with a 14 year old passenger would be taking a little more care than usual.

most corners on that part of the track are blind. no mater how careful all he would see is bumper.

FPV+fteT3 · 19-01-2015, 06:59 PM

If they made it one way that would increase the accidents all the wannabees clipping the apex or not, into the fence. Its an access road to private properties not a race track. If you want to join for little cost Bathurst Sporting or Light Car Club they close the road several times a year and run hillclimbs in a safe environment with ambo's and such.
Not the first accident there and wont be the last just visit the current cycling thread to see just who you share the road with and their attitudes regarding their right to do what they want with little regard for anyone else and I mean cyclists, motorcyclists and car drivers in some cases one of the same drive or ride like they want with little or no regard for anything but their own narrow view, the possibility of accidents and serious injury to others is acceptable collateral damage aparently.

**Giant Cranium** · 19-01-2015, 07:02 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by FPV+fteT3

If they made it one way that would increase the accidents all the wannabees clipping the apex or not, into the fence. Its an access road to private properties not a race track. If you want to join for little cost Bathurst Sporting or Light Car Club they close the road several times a year and run hillclimbs in a safe environment with ambo's and such.
Not the first accident there and wont be the last just visit the current cycling thread to see just who you share the road with and their attitudes regarding their right to do what they want with little regard for anyone else and I mean cyclists, motorcyclists and car drivers in some cases one of the same drive or ride like they want with little or no regard for anything but their own narrow view, the possibility of accidents and serious injury to others is acceptable collateral damage aparently.

one other that i always encounter are walkers and joggers. even at 60 you get a bit of a surprise round the blind corners

**Fordman1** · 19-01-2015, 07:07 PM

Last time I was at panorama it was one way clockwise (I think). That was many years ago now !

Feathers · 19-01-2015, 07:08 PM

I was up there with a friend yesterday afternoon and had assumed the road was closed due to resurfacing works, but this certainly explains the many, many police cars around and the ambulances.

I agree it should be one way. It's not going to stop those who want to go and pretend they're Jamie Whincup, but it might lower the odds of them taking out someone else on their way into a fence.

SensationFG8 · 19-01-2015, 07:11 PM

Yep the main difference between one way and two way is who dies in the event of an idiot being an idiot.

**kypez** · 19-01-2015, 07:18 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by SensationFG8

Yep the main difference between one way and two way is who dies in the event of an idiot being an idiot.

I'd be happier with Darwin's theory to sort them out than some innocent bystander...

nuthin' fancy · 19-01-2015, 07:24 PM

The collision couldn't have happened if the traffic was one way.

Spurious · 19-01-2015, 07:33 PM

A "card access only" gate would stop all the trouble.

People should know better, but people are stupid!

xr8territory · 19-01-2015, 07:41 PM

Just widen the road to 4 lanes and have concrete barriers between the opposing lanes.

4stanger · 19-01-2015, 07:47 PM

Do not agree with the one way theory.
This is currently a public road, all uses should obey the road rules.
People do walk, jog/run & cycle around this track also, so drivers should be vigilante to all users of this public facility, as they would & should on Any public road. If not, cop the consequences, like it appears in this case.
60 km/h speed limit is fair enough, but drivers should also drive to the conditions.

xbgt75 · 19-01-2015, 07:50 PM

Make it one way, change the speed limit, people should be more careful...blah blah blah blah blah... How about staying on your side of the white line?? If that SIMPLE and EXISTING law was followed there would be at least one person not dead and one person not on charges and one less thread on AFF. Id be happy with all that.

**Fordman1** · 19-01-2015, 07:54 PM

Years ago it was one way and 60 kph clockwise.

What happened ?

FPV GTHO · 19-01-2015, 07:54 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Arnaldo

Do not agree with the one way theory.
This is currently a public road, all uses should obey the road rules.
People do walk, jog/run & cycle around this track also, so drivers should be vigilante to all users of this public facility, as they would & should on Any public road. If not, cop the consequences, like it appears in this case.
60 km/h speed limit is fair enough, but drivers should also drive to the conditions.

Any other public road can have its rules changed to suit new needs though, so too can Mt Panorama.

The first time i went there it looked incredibly tight coming down the mountain, i cant imagine ever wanting to go around the "wrong" way.

xr8territory · 19-01-2015, 07:55 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Arnaldo

Do not agree with the one way theory.
This is currently a public road, all uses should obey the road rules.
People do walk, jog/run & cycle around this track also, so drivers should be vigilante to all users of this public facility, as they would & should on Any public road. If not, cop the consequences, like it appears in this case.
60 km/h speed limit is fair enough, but drivers should also drive to conditions.

I agree. i lived in Orange for years and travelled to Sydney very often. I could not resist driving around there every single time. I was however very mindful of how slow and careful you needed to drive to stay on the correct side of the road, especially throughout the dipper. It is just another road. People live on the mountain, cycle, walk etc. Use it properly or suffer the consequences.

4stanger · 19-01-2015, 08:04 PM

I have been there on 2 occasions, and also find it challenging enough to stay on the correct side of the road in either direction staying within the speed limit. (easily pleased aren't I)
This facility is also open to the public 24 hours a day.
So every person has a right to walk around this track any day & night.

Seriously, is what I am reading on here correct?
A 58 year old male driver, Driving a Toyota Prado Driving on the wrong side of the track around a blind corner! (presumably taking the racing line in a prado)
If we had a one way in place, this bloke still could have taken Any one out, No excuse!

SensationFG8 · 19-01-2015, 08:17 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Arnaldo

I have been there on 2 occasions, and also find it challenging enough to stay on the correct side of the road in either direction staying within the speed limit. (easily pleased aren't I)
This facility is also open to the public 24 hours a day.
So every person has a right to walk around this track any day & night.

Seriously, is what I am reading on here correct?
A 58 year old male driver, Driving a Toyota Prado Driving on the wrong side of the track around a blind corner! (presumably taking the racing line in a prado)
If we had a one way in place, this bloke still could have taken Any one out, No excuse!

I dont know what are you reading here? I dont think a single person has endorsed doing stupid things on the mountain...

4stanger · 19-01-2015, 08:26 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by SensationFG8

I dont know what are you reading here? I dont think a single person has endorsed doing stupid things on the mountain...

58 years old. A 58 year old man should have more common sense. This act is something I would expect an 18 year old to do, this bloke hasn't grown up.
Toyota Prado. Who dreams of driving an SUV on the racing lines around Bathurst!
That is the point I am trying to convey.

I have posted enough on this.
One way? no way, there are road rules in place to protect and uphold safety at Bathurst.
Stupid Drivers? I don't know the answer there.

Thunderchild · 19-01-2015, 08:31 PM

Haven't been round there since 2000 when we almost wore a P platers Dato 1600 wagon as a hood ornament as we neared the corner at the top of mountain straight. Television doesnt show how tight it is through the Esses and if I was stupid enough to give it a squirt through there I certainly wouldnt be doing it in a Prado.

uniacidz · 19-01-2015, 08:55 PM

Whilst i would love it to go in the same direction as the race cars, i reckon should be one way and clockwise (opposite direction to how the race direction) as this possibly maybe will stop visitors being knobs.

When i went up there with my brother, its so easy to cut a corner and be on the other side of the road.

Maybe its something for the council to think about or some other measures.

Regardless, sad tragedy and RIP to the rider and condolences to his family and friends.
:(

XB GS 351 Coupe · 19-01-2015, 09:08 PM

I have the solution ------ Just drive normally.

Not that hard, it's a public road like thousands of others designed for local traffic most of the time, if the turns are tight slow down, no need for one way rules and concrete barriers between lanes, it a local road where people need to be able to turn into their property.

If that is the case why don't we build concrete barriers on all roads??

Last time I drove around there I did it in a 15 tonne truck and I had no issues staying on my side of the road, I have also ridden bikes and driven 4x4's and even a GT Falcon around the track, never any problems staying on my side of the road.