THE Limestone Coast’s highest ranking police officer has urged recreational motorcycle riders to “ride to the circumstances” following a fatal crash in sand dunes near Beachport on Sunday.
A 25-year-old Victorian man died after he was found lying unconscious next to his motorcycle at around 1.30pm in sand dunes and scrub near Euro Point.
Friends of the rider were performing CPR on the man when police and South Australian Ambulance Service paramedics arrived.
A Wattle Range Country Fire Service deputy group officer was the first member of the emergency services to arrive and render assistance.
However, they were unable to save the man who died at the scene.
Adelaide-based Major Crash Investigators attended the scene on Sunday to help local police.
Limestone Coast Police officer in charge Superintendent Phil Hoff said the incident was a tragic reminder of the dangers associated with riding motorcycles.
“You can only ever drive and ride to the circumstances,” Supt Hoff said.
“The community needs to be mindful of the risks and ride to the constraints of their own ability, that of their motorcycle and the prevailing conditions.”
It is the second incident reported in the sand dunes this year after a 27-year-old Mount Gambier man was airlifted to an Adelaide Hospital in April with serious injuries after falling from his motorcycle in Canunda National Park.
He suffered from chest and spinal injuries as well as lower limb fractures.
Supt Hoff said police were aware of the interest in the sand dunes surrounding Beachport for both tourists and locals.
“Sand dunes in Beachport are renowned for riders, particularly from Victoria and the difficulty is that we have little to no knowledge of when they are coming,” Supt Hoff said.
“Sadly events involving motorcycles in the national parks are not as rare as we would like.”
Supt Hoff said the remote location of these serious incidents presented a further challenge for emergency services.
“When you get hurt in a remote location like that, help is usually some distance and time away,” he said.
“The golden hour of trauma, where we maximise the opportunity of helping people, quickly diminishes.”
The fatal death would not be added to the road toll because it is not considered a road death.
Police will prepare a report for the coroner.
