Accidents cast shadow on rally’s success

GRAAFF-REINET NEWS — Over 1 500 people attended the Strawdogs motorcycle rally in Graaff-Reinet this past weekend, and what should have been a time of celebration for participants and economic boom for the town was unfortunately marred by two serious accidents.

The most tragic accident occurred soon after 16:00 on Saturday when a biker, Adrian Jansen from Bethelsdorp, Port Elizabeth, collided with a 16-year-old cyclist about 3km from Graaff-Reinet on the Middelburg road, close to the turn-off to the SAPS shooting range.

52-year-old Jansen died at the scene of the accident from serious head injuries.

The cyclist, Simamkhele Dontsa from 7de Laan, Umasizakhe, was initially taken to Midland Hospital, but later transferred to a hospital in Port Elizabeth with critical injuries.

Another accident occurred earlier in the day during the stunts session on Saturday morning in Caledon Street.

The street was lined with people, both local and from the rally, who were enjoying the stunts and cheering the bikers on until an unexpected accident occurred. A biker riding along on the back wheel of his bike lost control and his bike slid out from under him.

He rolled to the ground with only minor injuries.

However the bystanders weren’t so lucky, and the motorcycle slid into the crowd, seriously injuring a Port Elizabeth schoolboy. Stephen Lottering, who had just turned 14, was attending the rally with his parents, who are members of Bikers Church Port Elizabeth.

According to police, the youngster suffered a broken femur, and he was taken to hospital in Port Elizabeth. He is recovering in hospital after an operation to insert pins and plates in his leg, but unfortunately, there are complications, and he will need more surgery. Another spectator suffered slight injuries to his legs.

In May 2012, an accident also occurred during the stunts at a Strawdogs rally, this time in Church Street. A biker lost control of his machine and it proceeded to skid into the crowd. Two people were injured, one of whom was admitted to hospital.

Many of the bikers were seen in town without helmets. According to Brigadier Rudolph Adolph, Cluster Commander for the Graaff-Reinet district, there is no such thing as an amnesty when bikers do not have to wear helmets.

These riders are, in fact, breaking the law, and no-one has the authority to override that law. Rally organiser Larry Oliver told the Advertiser that it was announced at the caravan park that bikers must wear helmets at all times, but admits that there will always be some who disregard the rules, and also those bikers staying in guest houses will not have heard the announcement.

Oliver is devastated by the tragic accidents.

Opinion in town is divided about the desirability of such rallies being held in Graaff-Reinet. While most agree that there is definitely some economic benefit with the influx of over 1 500 people, those who do not see any direct monetary benefit for themselves have mixed feelings.

Some are prepared to tolerate the inconvenience of the road closure and the general disruption, but others, including those living near the caravan park, find the noise levels, particularly late at night, and the littering, unacceptable.

Nobody disputes that there are economic benefits for the town, and the fact that there will be donations to the underprivileged in the area from the bikers, but unfortunately the drunken behaviour of a few casts all of the bikers in the same light, according to many comments received.

Oliver agreed with this sentiment, and apologised for the loutish behaviour of some of the group, and also pointed out that it seemed to be just a few inconsiderate people giving the whole rally a bad name.

“Unfortunately it is impossible to control those who want to party all night and disturb the residents,” he said but reiterated that the majority of those attending the rally respected the residents and the town, and found local people to be friendly and welcoming.

A small group of bikers will be back in the town in about a month’s time, bringing goods to donate to selected charities. At this stage, they have not made a final decision as to who will be the beneficiaries but will give to those who seem to be the neediest.