Paramedic knocked off bike by surgeon

File photo / APN

A former Greymouth surgeon who knocked a paramedic off his bike has been discharged without conviction and fined $3000 for careless driving.

Hugh Russell Bodle, 78, had been driving through Greymouth on January 13, when he stopped at a give-way sign. He pulled out into High Street, stopping at the centre line to avoid two passing trucks. After the trucks had passed he moved off, but knocked the paramedic from his bike.

The victim suffered concussion and amnesia as a result of the accident.

In appeared Greymouth District Court yesterday, lawyer Eymard Bradley said the guilty plea from Bodle had come a little late.

He said there had been similar situations where people with a reputation like Bodle's could suffer from such an incident.

He said Bodle had given a great amount to the West Coast community, and was a "household name".

Bodle had said he just had not seen the cyclist.

Mr Bradley said that as soon as Bodle heard a bang, within seconds he had been out of his vehicle and attending to the victim.

Judge Robert Murfitt said Bodle had an "exemplary community standing", but had made a "momentary slip of judgment". Trying to avoid the two trucks, he had hit the bike instead.

Given his long history without any offending, the judge said he should be discharged without conviction. Bodle had also offered to pay reparation to the victim.

- The Greymouth Star