This shocking video shows why a woman from Exeter has been jailed after she crashed head-on, causing a fellow motorcyclist to lose their leg amid a dangerous overtake in East Devon.
Kathryn Goff, aged 52, of Milton Road, Wonford, in Exeter, was on Friday (April 25) jailed for 20 months and banned from holding a licence after she admitted driving dangerously.
Biker Goff’s own helmet-cam caught the moment she overtook a van in wet, foggy and dim conditions, ploughing head-on into a motorcyclist coming in the opposite direction.
The approaching motorcyclist suffered a ‘traumatic’ amputation as a result of Goff’s dangerous driving.
Alan Kennedy, from the serious collisions investigation team at Devon and Cornwall Police, said: “Kathryn Goff’s actions on the day of the collision resulted in an injury which has changed the life of another motorcycle rider. This was a totally avoidable collision.
“Goff’s riding fell far below the standard expected of a road user and the decision to perform the overtake was made even worse by the poor weather conditions at the time.
“We hope this case will serve as a reminder that every manoeuvre can have tragic consequences.”
Goff’s helmet-cam footage showed her clearing her visor, multiple times, wiping it with a gloved hand amid wet and foggy weather.
And loud music can be heard over the noise of the road and Goff’s motorbike.
Goff overtook the RAC van straight into the path of an oncoming motorcyclist.
Image: D&C Police.
The Honda motorcyclist is seen here seconds before the head-on crash caused by Goff’s dangerous driving.
Image: D&C Police.
The court heard how at around 5.45pm on March 9, 2023, Goff had been riding her Kawasaki motorcycle in East Devon along the A3052 Sidford to Colyton road, following behind an RAC van recovering her partner’s vehicle.
She overtook the recovery van in ‘darkening, wet and foggy conditions’, steering her motorbike onto the opposite side of the road, straight into the path of oncoming Honda motorcycle.
Helmet-cam footage shows Goff clearing her helmet in wet and foggy conditions.
Image: D&C Police.
A Devon and Cornwall Police spokesperson said: “The manoeuvre took Goff’s motorcycle onto the opposing carriageway and into the path of an oncoming Honda motorcycle.
“As a result of the collision both motorcycles were extensively damaged and the RAC van suffered bodywork damage to the driver’s door.
“The Honda motorcycle rider travelling in the opposite direction to Goff suffered a traumatic amputation to the leg as a result of the collision.”
Goff is seen here overtaking a car on the wrong side of the road, shortly before she overtakes again and crashes head-on into the Honda motorcyclist.
Image: D&C Police.
Goff is seen here overtaking the RAC van on the wrong side of the road, seconds before the head-on crash.
Image: D&C Police.
Goff, who pleaded guilty to causing serious injury by dangerous driving was jailed after appearing at Exeter Crown Court. She was also banned for holding a licence for four years.
Police said Goff’s helmet camera footage showed ‘numerous breaches’ of the Highway Code on the day of the crash, and ‘an extended period of poor riding in adverse conditions immediately prior to the incident’.
