KEY POINTS:
The Blenheim policeman charged with dangerous driving after a crash in the Buller Gorge that left two motorcyclists seriously injured has been committed to stand trial.
Blenheim-based Sergeant Anthony Dale Bridgman, 57, has denied two charges of dangerous driving causing injury to two Wellington motorcyclists who collided with his vehicle on December 1, while he was doing a U-turn.
Justices of the Peace Harry Baigent and Mary Harley concluded at the second day of a depositions hearing today that there was sufficient evidence to put Bridgman to trial.
Giving evidence in Nelson District Court yesterday motorcyclist Brent Russell said that the vehicle appeared suddenly across the road, leaving him only a few seconds to work out how to survive.
"But I thought I would probably die when I hit the car," he said.
Mr Russell told the court he was travelling with a group of motorcyclists from Wellington, intending to head to the West Coast.
He said one of the motorcyclists pulled over near the Buller Gorge Swingbridge and waved him and fellow rider Marty Collins past.
As they went around a bend, he saw Mr Collins steer to the right and a large white vehicle in front of him, lying diagonal to the road, the Nelson Mail reported.
"I realised I had very little room to manoeuvre and wondered what the hell I was going to do.
"I had thought of my wife and children and the consequences, obviously."
He said he suffered eight to 10 breaks in his pelvis, which required titanium plates.
He also lost the top of his right thumb and suffered a broken wrist - which required surgery - a broken pubic bone and concussion.
Mr Russell said Bridgman came over after the crash and asked him if he was okay.
He replied by asking "what the hell" Bridgman had been doing at that part of the road.
"His reply to me was that I was speeding. I replied to him an expletive, in effect go away."
Bridgman has remained working with Marlborough's highway patrol.
He was remanded at large to a callover on August 15.
- NZPA
