WESTFIELD – A Southampton man whose motorcycle was struck by a black bear on Southampton Road Wednesday morning succumbed to his injuries Thursday at Baystate Medical Center.
Officer Michael Gamache of the Traffic and Safety Bureau of the Westfield Police Department reports that the accident was witnessed by a neighbor of the victim, Edward Neid, 63, of 14 Duggan Lane, Southampton, who happened to be following the man’s 2002 Yamaha motorcycle southbound on Southampton Road.
Gamace said that the witness reported that both vehicles were traveling “at or near the speed limit” when the black bear emerged from the east side of the roadway and ran into the motorcycle, striking it broadside and sending Neid out of control and tumbling from the motorcycle.
Another witness who came upon the scene seconds later said that the bear reversed direction after the crash and did not appear to be significantly injured as it ran back the way it came.
An ambulance dispatched from the north side Fire Department sub-station arrived at the crash site seven minutes after the first call reporting the accident was received and Neid was transported to Baystate Medical Center where he was admitted in critical condition.
Gamache said that the damage to the motorcycle was consistent with a broadside impact and said that the accident investigation was straightforward.
He said that the crash was truly an accident and said that if the timing had been seconds different it would probably not have occurred.
“It’s my understanding that he was on his way to work”, Gamache said and added that he was almost there.
