A biker was killed today in an early morning crash in Aberdeen’s west end.
The 29-year-old man was thrown from the silver Honda when he lost control of the motorcycle on King’s Gate near to the junction with Forest Road.
The accident happened as he travelled up towards the North Anderson Drive roundabout just before 6am yesterday.
It is understood he hit a lamp post and careered onto the pavement.
Residents called the emergency services as they rushed out to help the injured biker, who had been driving with learner plates on.
He was taken to Aberdeen Royal Infirmary, but died later that morning.
No other vehicle was involved.
People who live nearby described how shocked they were to wake up to news about the tragedy that unfolded on their door steps.
Several people said they heard a thud outside, but that they went back to sleep unaware such a terrible thing had happened so early in the morning – and when the road would have been so quiet.
A relative of a man who raced outside to help the rider said he thought the loud bang was someone trying to break into their house.
But instead he discovered the lifeless body.
“My brother heard a thud and thought someone was trying to rob us,” he said.
“It wasn’t until he looked outside and saw that the man had crashed his bike. He had been thrown onto the wall outside.
“We think he might have hit one of the lamp posts and lost control.
“It’s just so sad.”
Police officers blocked off King’s Gate from the Atholl Hotel to the North Anderson Drive roundabout for more than four hours while collision investigators worked at the scene to piece together what happened.
The bike was on its side on the pavement and the seat had been completely ripped off.
Debris from the motorcycle scattered the ground and a trail of diesel had leaked onto the pavement.
One resident said it was the last thing she expected to hear when she woke up.
“King’s Gate is a busy road, but it’s not very often accidents happen. Especially at that time of the morning,” she said.
“My heart goes out to his family and friends. It’s absolutely tragic.”
Local councillors Martin Greig and Bill Cormie said the community would be devastated about what had happened.
Mr Greig said: “King’s Gate is a busy street and it has its own traffic problems. But the timing and the facts of the incident are particularly sad and upsetting.
“I know that motorcyclists often get bad press, but it’s very, very sad to hear about this.
“The circumstances are very tragic and anyone with information that can help to explain what happened should contact the police.”
Mr Cormie added: “My thoughts are with all those who have been affected.”
Police Scotland has also issued an appeal for witnesses.
A spokesman said: “Anyone who witnessed the collision or may have seen the motorcycle in the area is asked to contact Police Scotland on 101.”
Meanwhile, an air ambulance was sent to scene of another one-vehicle accident on the A93 Braemar to Aberdeen road yesterday after a silver Ford Fiesta left the carriageway near the Glenshee ski centre.
The aircraft and an ambulance attended around 1.50pm, however the male driver had suffered only minor injuries.
A spokeswoman for the Scottish Ambulance Service said: “It was a minor injury, no one was taken to hospital.”