A motorcyclist says he crashed his bike ‘riding over a diesel spill’ on Great Western Way last week.
An off-duty detective was one of the first at the scene when Renato Martins hit the patch of what he believes was spilt diesel near the Swindon College bus gate, opposite TK Maxx.
Police officers raced to the scene to provide emergency first aid while the injured 19-year-old student and part-time worker waited an hour for an ambulance to arrive at the road traffic collision.
Renato suffered serious bruising to his arm, leg and chest in the crash, which he blames on Swindon Borough Council: “I was going less than 15mph while negotiating the roundabout, but there was loads of diesel spread across the road. It was so big I just couldn’t avoid it.
“As my rear wheel went over the spill, it kicked out and I went to the floor.
“I want the council to do something about it. It’s a real issue and it’s not the first time a car or motorcyclist has span out and crashed on the roundabout.”
He’s asking the council to pay for the damage to his motorcycle because he’s now unable to work.
“I don’t have much money to pay for the repairs, and I can’t work at the moment because of the pain in my shoulder and leg. I want the council to pay for the damage to my motorcycle. We all pay road taxes and the roads should be safe to drive on.”
Following a barrage of complaints from members of the public, we asked Renato whether or not he has concerns about the photograph published by Wiltshire 999s following his crash.
“I understand you using it [the photograph of the crash scene], it’s fine. Sorry that you got complaints, but I have no problems. I give you my consent”, he exclaimed.
Anyone who witnessed the crash or has photographs of the suspected diesel spill on Great Western Way is asked to contact us (including your phone number) on [email protected].
