A DRINK driver who was in a coma for three days after he lost control of his Ducati motorbike on a sweeping bend, has been fined a total of $950 and disqualified from driving for two years.
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Alex John Loudoun-Shand pleaded guilty in Bathurst Local Court on Monday to high-range drink-driving on College Road; and riding a motorcycle while his licence was suspended.
The 32-year-old was riding his Ducati south along College Road about 4.10pm on October 7, 2002, when the accident occurred. He had a pillion passenger aboard.
He lost control of the bike on a sweeping bend and ran down an embankment, coming to a halt at a boundary fence.
Loudoun-Shand lost consciousness and was taken by ambulance to Bathurst Base Hospital. He had to be transferred to Westmead Hospital for surgery and was in a coma for three days before regaining consciousness.
His pillion passenger suffered minor injuries and shock.
Loudoun-Shand later told police he had very little memory of the collision. When asked why he had driven while his licence was suspended, Loudoun-Shand said, to the best of his memory, his friend had asked him to take him for a ride on the Ducati and he obliged.
He was unable to give accurate details of his alcohol consumption but said a friend mentioned seeing him pour a glass of port with milk.
Full story in the Western Advocate.