This extraordinary dash-cam footage shows the horrifying moment a motorbike rider was flung into the air after being hit by a motorist driving on the wrong side of the road.
The 35-year-old rider was hit head-on by a driver travelling 70mph who swerved from left to right while going around a bend on a country road near Sheffield, South Yorks.
Video, captured by three separate cameras, shows the motorcyclist smash into the car's bumper and fly around 15ft into the air over the top of the vehicle.
He can be then be seen slamming into the ground before rolling along the road and coming to a stop around 100ft from the "high powered" Subaru car and his own bike.
The experienced rider, who is from Barnsley but doesn't want to be named, suffered a broken back, broken sternum and broken wrist in the devastating smash.
His Suzuki K7 sports bike was completely destroyed on impact when the crash happened on April 28 last year.
He has since credited the protective gear he was wearing at the time, including a full leather, air bag suit which activated and inflated on impact, with saving his life.
The offending driver, Florian Pratt, was jailed for 16 months at Sheffield Crown Court yesterday (Thurs) after admitting causing serious injury by dangerous driving.
Roads policing constable, PC Phil Carson explains: “In an ideal world, everyone would drive with care 100% of the time, but sadly this isn’t the case.
“The offending driver had no previous driving points or convictions, but on this occasion he demonstrated an exceptional lack of judgement.
"Thankfully, the motorcyclist was wearing a full leather, air bag suit which activated and inflated as he was propelled off his bike.
"Without it, in a collision at this speed, he would most likely have died."
Addressing his reason for releasing the footage today, PC Carson said: “We often see motorcycle riders wearing shorts and trainers, and they think it’s OK because they have a helmet on – it’s not.
"You might be travelling in a safe manner, but that doesn’t mean everyone else is.
“Please make sure that you’re wearing the right kit, it might be expensive but without it, your life could be at risk.”
Addressing Pratt as he passed the sentence, Judge David Dixon said: “Anyone in control of a high-powered sports type car needs to be aware of the vehicle’s capability and their own capability.
“You failed to take any account of the bend that led to this incident. The message must go out loud and clear. If you drive any vehicle you must drive with care.”
As well as a custodial sentence Pratt was handed a three year driving ban.
