Rider questions bridge crash

The scene of the crash on October 10 which left Gary Parr sore and sorry for crossing the Grafton Bridge.

Photos

Our lethal roads

View Photo Gallery »

WHAT happened?

That’s what Gary Parr, of Brisbane, would like to know about the crash on Grafton Bridge last October which left him with fractures to five of his vertebrae, as well as his ribs, collarbone, arm and nose, and he is missing four teeth.

The motorbike crash also caused extensive delays on the Clarence River crossing and left motorists wishing for another bridge.

Mr Parr had stopped for lunch in Grafton with a group of fellow motorcyclists on Saturday, October 10 – they were on their way to the Phillip Island Motorcycle Grand Prix.

It was about 2pm that the party headed south over the Grafton Bridge.

Mr Parr said he was riding his Ducati on the right side of the lane, travelling side by side next to his father, when the car they were both following came to a sudden stop near the southern bend of the bridge. He said he was doing no more than 40km/h just before having to brake.

“When I tried to stop, the front wheel of my motorcycle slipped and I hit the side of an oncoming truck,” Mr Parr said in a letter to The Daily Examiner.

Mr Parr said he had spoken to police, Grafton locals and other witnesses but he kept getting different stories.

“One person who I haven’t been able to talk to is the driver of the car that stopped and I’d like to hear what they remember from that day,” he said.

“I’ve spoken to my solicitor – this is a no-fault accident – there is nothing to be done legally. I just want to know what happened.” Mr Parr said his father, who also had to brake hard to avoid hitting the car in front, had given him a version of events but was still not sure why the car stopped.

“I have been told by doctors that I am lucky to be alive, let alone walking after the accident,” said Mr Parr who still suffers from neck pain, similar to a stiff neck, on a daily basis.

“Maybe finding the truth will help argue for a new bridge before the next person is hurt or killed trying to drive across the Grafton Bridge.”

Mr Parr said he was back at work after a long recovery but was yet to get back on a motorbike.

Anyone with details of the crash can contact him by emailing gbparr@gmail.com.