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Barrier under fire after rider injured
By DAMIAN MACINTYRE
24feb05
THE son of a seriously injured motorcylist has called for an urgent review of
traffic barriers on Tasmanian roads.
Anthony King, 24, of North Hobart, said his father's injuries could have been
significantly less if the barriers, made out of tightened metal cables, were
replaced.
David King, 46, is in a serious but stable condition after an accident on the
Brooker Highway on Tuesday while riding his Kawasaki Z900.
Both northbound and southbound lanes were closed in the Montrose area after the
accident, about 3pm.
It is believed the Claremont man was thrown from his bike and landed in the
opposite lane. The accident is being investigated.
Mr King was considered a good rider with 30 years of experience.
"The railing is to stop cars but it is a killer for motorcyclists," Anthony
said.
"My dad is now in hospital fighting for his life. There should be some kind of
railing system to limit injury to motorcyclists.
"He would have had a better chance of taking on the oncoming traffic than the
railing which shreds you to pieces."
Among Mr King's injuries are fractured vertebrae, broken leg, broken ankle,
split liver and collapsed lung.
His family are staying by his bedside praying for a recovery.
He was due to start a new job at BP this week.
"We want as many people as possible to write to the Government to get these
barriers looked at," Anthony said.
