AN avid motorcyclist died after his bike was in collision with a police van performing a U-turn on the A590 between Barrow and Ulverston, a court has heard.
PC Patsy Blakeborough, 41, has gone on trial at Carlisle Crown Court after denying a charge of causing the death of Scott Gibson by careless driving on April 4 last year.
Mr Gibson, a 23-year-old who lived and worked in Barrow, was riding away from his home town and had just left the Melton roundabout when the crash occurred in darkness at around 10.30pm.
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The court heard Blakeborough was on duty and had parked her van in a large bus stop at the side of the road to meet a colleague. She then performed a U-turn, intent on returning to Barrow. But as she did so, Mr Gibson's 400cc Honda was in collision with the driver's side of her van.
On day one of the trial today, it was alleged that Blakeborough made an "unsafe" move on the "fast, major road". It was further said she had not looked properly as she did so.
However, Blakeborough, of Tamar Gardens, Walney, claims she carried out the correct visual checks and did not see Mr Gibson's bike until it was too late.
The trial continues.
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