KAWARTHA LAKES-The day started out with a nice Sunday drive from Furnace falls. Three couples out for for a leisurely motorcycle tour on Highway 507 that ended in tragedy.
Police say the investigation revealed that a northbound motorcycle, in a group of 11 motorcycles, crossed over the center line on a curve and collided with two southbound motorcycles, who were part of a group of 3. Shortly after the initial crash, another northbound motorcyclist collided with a car that had stopped at the scene and another northbound motorcyclist went off the roadway and into the ditch on Sunday August 20th.
Now there are a lot of questions being asked after Sunday’s horrific crash.
Three men were killed in the crash. The deceased were identified as Scott Knill, 45 years of age of Woodville, Mark Langhorne, 40 years of age of Oshawa and Greg Campbell, 43 years of age of Toronto.
Scott Knill was part of the group of three bikes going southbound. Sherry Kimble was with the group and she told Kawartha 411 they were just out for a Sunday ride when a group of bikes came around the corner crossing the line. Scott’s wife Tracy was injured. “My heart aches for our friend Tracy who is recovering in the hospital and for her husband Scott who lost his life on Sunday, August 20th, 2017 in a senseless and horrific accident.” Sherry Kimble told Kawartha 411. “The world has lost a wonderful friend , husband, father and grandfather.”
Senseless and tragic according to Sherry because she says some of the other group of bikers were allegedly travelling at a high rate of speed. “To the irresposible gang of crotch rockets looking to conquer HWY 507 at a high speed, you should be ashamed. Your excessive need for speed caused this accident.” She says. “The rules of the road apply to you as well.”
Police have not said if speed was a factor in this crash.
Peterborough County OPP say they are aware of the reputation of that stretch of highway with motorcyclists. “Hwy 507 has been identified as a road where some motorcycle riders have been reported to drive at excessive speeds. There have been directed patrols performed by general patrol officers as well as our traffic team to try and stop this.” Greg White ,Acting Communications Director for the OPP told Kawartha 411.
However, there are numerous youtube videos of various riders taking on the twists and turns of the stretch of 507 from County Road 36 to Gooderham over the last few years. One is called Conquering Highway 507. One resident who lives on highway 507 told Kawartha 411 bikers speed up an down the highway all summer long.
Another local resident allegedly came upon the crash and started yelling at the drivers. “I know the residents are very frustrated. As I knelt with Scott on the
road a lady was shouting, she looked at me and said you bikers are the
worst, stay of my road, I’m a local and tired of this.” Kimble recalled to Kawartha 411. She says her group were simply victims and were not aware of the roads reputation. “I was not aware prior to the accident that it was such a well known road to bikers. No idea there were so many videos taken on this road.” Kimble says.
And she is asking police to do more to curb it. “The road should be patrolled more over the summer months when bikers are travelling the roads.”
Peterborough County OPP say they have been monitoring the situation for years. “The issue of motorcycle riders speeding on Hwy 507 has been identified for several years. This stretch of roadway has had an ongoing focus from all officers working in that area.”
Kimble has a message for speeders. “If you want to prove you can
ride then go do it on a closed track, where they too have rules.
Racing is for the track , not the street. Respect for others , if you
don’t have that then don’t drive.”
“The horrific scene shall forever be engrained in our minds.” she says.
No charges have been laid in this incident. Police are still investigating.
A Go Fund Me page has been set up for Scott’s wife Tracy Forbes Knill who was injured in the crash. https://www.gofundme.com/tracy-forbes-knill-recovery-fund
I have a thought here, having lost a good friend, Scott Knill, in this horrific accident. The police (and every motorcycle club in Ontario apparently) KNOW that is is an open race track for bikes. The police don’t have the resources to man this highway 24/7 so why not have the MTO rip the pavement out and revert to a gravel road? From what I have learned, road residents throw sand and gravel on the road by their homes trying to slow the bikes down. Now, they might agree that reverting to a gravel road or they might play the NIMBY game. Who’s to know until this is brought to them. But I think that it is something to have some very serious discussions about. This week has been pure hell. How about trying to alleviate another family from going through this senseless heartache?
Also, thank you so much for sharing the link to our GoFundMe page for Tracy Knill.