THREE IN THREE MONTHS: Motorcycle rider implores motorists to exercise caution on Captain Cook Highway

ACCIDENTS

Michael Warren

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Katie Richard is lucky to be alive following a recent motorbike accident in the Douglas Shire. Her bike suffered some damage following the incident. Pictures: Katie Richard

A woman who continues to recover from her injuries in a Cairns Hospital has implored local motorists to be more vigilant and exhibit safe driving practices in the wake of three separate motorcycle related accidents along the Captain Cook Highway in the Douglas Shire in as many months.

Katie Richard a practicing psychologist who services the Mossman, Port Douglas and Smithfield areas is lucky to be alive following an accident south of Craiglie around 4.45pm last Friday afternoon.

Ms Richard has little to no recollection of the incident except for waking up in the ambulance when she was being transported to Mossman Hospital. Ms Richard was later transferred to Cairns Hospital for further treatment.

Ms Richard spoke to Newsport from her hospital bed in Cairns as she continues to nurse broken fingers, a severe wrist laceration, serious bruising and multiple scrapes.

“I genuinely don’t have any memory of the incident, I was heading south towards Cairns from Mossman and then suddenly I was in the ambulance,” she said.

“What I do want to say is that I encourage everyone who uses the Captain Cook Highway to ensure they are driving safely and are following the road rules.

“I’m unsure what caused my accident so this is purely a hunch but it may have been because of a lack of indication from another vehicle which was turning off the highway which led to me not having enough time to react or move around the vehicle at very short notice.

“Very respectfully I would kindly ask other motorists to be mindful of motorbikes and to indicate where necessary.”

Ms Richard’s matter was the third motorbike related accident in the Douglas Shire in as many months.

A man sustained serious spinal injuries following a motorcycle accident in late August at Oak Beach, while a 51 year-old man tragically passed away following a separate incident near Mowbray on September 15.

A close up of the damage to the bike.

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