Trucker demolished bridge over M20 hurting biker and causing traffic chaos denies dangerous driving

A TRUCKER who hit a motorway footbridge that collapsed and hurt a biker denied dangerous driving yesterday. A digger on Alan Austen’s low-loader brought down 170 tons of concrete.

Motorcyclist James Shaw, 73, deliberately slid his bike to avoid a crash and broke three ribs.

It shut the M20 near West Malling, Kent, for several days last August.

Austen, 63, of Darlington, County Durham, appeared at Maidstone crown court.

Prosecutor Peter Forbes said the excavator collided with the bridge, causing it to fall on Austen’s low loader as well as another lorry.

He said Mr Shaw had to take evasive action adding: “He was approaching the scene and made a decision, and a correct decision, to slide his motorbike and he was injured as a result.”

Source: Trucker who demolished footbridge over M20 hurting biker and causing traffic chaos denies dangerous driving