Witness recalls fatal motorcycle crash (From News Shopper)

Witness recalls horrific motorcycle crash which killed Thomasz Bury in Crayford

9:57am Tuesday 19th June 2012 in Traffic & Travel By Jim Palmer

Witness recalls fatal motorcycle horror crash

AN EYE-WITNESS has told of the moment he saw a horror crash in Crayford which left a motorcyclist dead.

Mechanical engineer Daniel Kennedy was putting bins out in his garden in Mill Lane, near to the junction with Crayford Way, at 6.30am on Thursday (June 14) when he heard an engine.

The 24-year-old said: “I looked round to see what kind of bike it was. The rider was trying to overtake a small car, but he didn’t have time before the roundabout.

“He tried to come back in but he lost control and started to wobble and came off his bike before the corner. No-one else was involved.”

The rider, 40-year-old Tomasz Bury, was trapped under the front wheels of an Ocado van across the road.

Mr Kennedy said: “The van stopped before the gentleman hit him, it was stationary.

“The gentleman was completely wedged under the front wheels of the van.

“The driver of the van was hysterical. He was in shock, he didn’t know what to do or say.

“We pushed the van off and I called the paramedics. He was not conscious but breathing.”

Mr Kennedy and the female driver of the car which Mr Bury tried to overtake helped direct traffic as ambulances, police cars and passers-by gathered.

Mr Kennedy said: “The paramedics were doing CPR for at least half an hour.

“The air ambulance’s land crew arrived but not long after they pronounced him dead. You could tell by their faces.”

Mr Bury was pronounced dead at 7.24am. His family has been informed.

Mr Kennedy said: “I think his brother was there and his co-workers. His brother was trying to hug him on the ground.”

Both Crayford Way and Mill Place were closed in both directions for around seven hours while police investigated.

Mr Bury worked at Viridor Waste Management in Crayford, as an employee of Red Eagle employment agency.

Viridor’s regional manager Stuart Wood said: “It was with extreme sadness that we heard of Tomasz’ death. He will be greatly missed by his many friends and colleagues. Our thoughts at this time are with his family.”

Mr Kennedy described the scene as “horrible” but was focussed on comforting the van driver.

He said: “I was trying to explain to him that it wasn’t his fault. Some guys from his work were there trying to comfort him.”