Motorcyclist apologises for head-on smash which left both riders with 'significant injuries'
Last updated 16th Oct 2023
A 35-year-old man has pled guilty to a charge of dangerous driving following a head-on crash between two motorcycles in the Borders, which left both riders with "significant injuries".
John Duncan, from Whitburn, West Lothian, had been travelling south on the A7, between Stow and Galashiels, when the incident unfolded, around 3.37pm on August 7th, 2021.
He had been attempting to overtake a car approaching a bend near Torwoodlee when he crossed onto the opposite side of the road and was met by a motorcycle being ridden, in the opposite direction, by Owen Bowie.
Selkirk Sheriff Court - which today (Monday) was shown harrowing footage of the incident from the dashcam of the car - heard there was no time for either motorcyclist to react.
Aidan Vernel, prosecuting, said: "Both riders were thrown off their bikes and sustained significant injuries."
Emergency services raced to the scene after the alarm was raised and both men were taken to the Royal Infirmary of Edinburgh for treatment.
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The court heard Mr Bowie suffered fractures to his hand and spine, while Duncan severed two small fingers on his right hand which required amputation, in addition to fracturing his right femur and breaking his right ankle.
Duncan's defence agent said his client tendered his apologies to Mr Bowie and his family. He said his injuries mirrored Mr Bowie's, bringing home how significant this whole incident will have been for him.
Sheriff Matthew Auchincloss deferred sentence until November the 15th for background reports, and Duncan was disqualified from driving meantime. The case will recall at Edinburgh Sheriff Court.
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Meanwhile, a 21-year-old woman has admitted a reduced charge of careless driving after crashing her car near West Linton while more than double the legal drink-drive limit.
Lucia Leith, from Bathgate, West Lothian, was originally charged with dangerous driving following the incident on the A703 road on October the 1st last year, which left her passenger injured.
Papers presented to Selkirk Sheriff Court revealed she failed to negotiate a bend, lost control of her vehicle, causing the car to leave the road by Craigburn Farm, and roll across a verge.
The first offender also admitted recording an alcohol reading of 166 milligrammes, when the limit is 67 milligrammes.
Sentence has been deferred until November 13th for background reports, and Leith has been disqualified from driving meantime.
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