A 49-year-old motorcyclist of Johannesburg was killed on Wednesday morning when his Harley Davidson left the road and plunged over the edge onto the rocky river bed.
The media have been asked not to reveal his name as his next of kin were not yet informed of his death by yesterday. The deceased was part of a group of 16 Harley Davidson enthusiasts of Johannesburg who were on an eight day tour on ten Harleys and a back-up vehicle.
Paramedics who were part of the Bridge Cape Pioneer Trek cycle race which was also passing through the poort were on the scene of the accident within minutes but the motor cyclist had already passed away when they reached him.
The wife of the deceased, who also rides her own bike, was in the back-up vehicle at the time of the accident. She flew to Johannesburg on Wednesday afternoon to inform their children and relatives of the tragedy.
The Oudtshoorn Courant met with the shocked and emotional group at the Riempie Estate Hotel on Wednesday afternoon. Rod McShane, who spoke on behalf of the group, said that the deceased was an experienced motorcyclist and that he was not going fast at the time of the accident.
"It is so tragic, he was a careful rider and although he was doing a moderate speed, the fall on the rocks killed him."
Another member of the group said that they had all just spent a relaxing time at the waterfall and were doing a final ride through the beautiful poort before resuming their trip to Graaff Reinet where they were going to stay over. The group still had three days of their planned eight day journey but decided to return home.
"The accident changed everything, we decided to return to Oudtshoorn tonight, leave for Bloemfontein tomorrow and arrive in Johannesburg on Friday to assist the family with arrangements."
McShane commended the staff and management of the Riempie Estate Hotel for accommodating them at such short notice. "They have been absolutely wonderful to us." He also said that the police and members of the local forensic pathology services were extremely helpful and kind.
All that is left of the stately Harley Davidson after the accident in which its owner was killed on Wednesday. Photo: Hannes Visser
ARTICLE: HANNES VISSER, OUDTSHOORN COURANT EDITOR
