A MOTORCYCLIST has been badly burnt after a crash involving a four-wheel-drive resulted in bystanders rushing to help.
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The 60-year-old had been travelling up the Bogong High Plains Road at Falls Creek on Sunday afternoon.
His bike was travelling in the middle or on the wrong side of the road when he approached the oncoming vehicle about 2.40pm.
Police said he appeared to be travelling too fast to avoid a crash and dropped the bike and slid in an attempt to avoid the car.
The driver of the off-roader braked but ran over the top of the motorbike, causing it to burst into flames.
The rider was covered in flames over his protective clothing, which he struggled to remove.
Bystanders ran to the man and helped him while receiving instructions over the phone from emergency service workers.
He was burnt on his thighs, arms and hands as his clothing melted onto him.
Acting Sergeant Peter Dilley said the man had been flown to hospital with injuries that appeared to be non-life threatening.
“Fortunately, he didn’t receive too much of an impact wound from coming off the bike,” he said.
“The air ambulance picked him up from Falls Creek.
“The driver of the four-wheel-drive was camping in the area with his young family.
“They were, of course, shocked from seeing someone on fire.”
Acting Sergeant Dilley said the area was popular with motorbike riders and people using mountain and road bikes.
“Police are urging all road users to take care and are emphatic about keeping on the correct side of the road at a safe speed,” he said.
“A big thank you to all those bystanders who didn’t stand back and got involved in first aid.”
All involved were from the eastern suburbs of Melbourne.
The man is likely to require several skin grafts. His hand was degloved with skin peeling off.
Ambulance Victoria spokesman John Mullen described the burns as “significant”.
Firefighters were called in to extinguish the flames.
The rider was flown down to the Alfred Hospital in Melbourne.
Acting Sergeant Dilley said the incident showed the need for riders to consider the conditions and ride to their ability, especially those who hadn’t ridden for a while or were older.
- This article first appeared on The Border Mail