Video of fatal crash during 170mph ride released as warning to others
Film of a motorcyclist hitting 170mph as he chased a friend before a fatal crash has been released by a force as a warning to UK road users to highlight the dangers of speeding.
Film of a motorcyclist hitting 170mph as he chased a friend before a fatal crash has been released by a force as a warning to UK road users to highlight the dangers of speeding. Dashcam footage shows Fred Bowden reaching the highest speed Devon and Cornwall Police has recorded. The reckless ride went on for 25 miles on the A30 before best friend Andrew Prowse, 46, clipped a car with his Kawasaki ZX10R and was thrown under an oncoming camper van. The unfortunate biker was decapitated, dying instantly. A video camera owned by Bowdens friend had been strapped to the petrol tank of his machine and captured the horrific death. Bowden, now 47, of Helston, Cornwall, avoided jail in 2009 at Truro Crown Court after the victim`s family pleaded for clemency but not before the jury was shown a 21-minute video of the fateful trip. The biker who survived admitted dangerous driving. He was given a 51-week suspended sentence and a three-year driving ban. At the time Judge Christopher Elwen told Bowden: “This wild ride came to an end with the tragic death of your long-time and close friend. “What has been seen on the video was a prolonged course of dangerous driving with grossly high speeds and inappropriate overtaking. “Motorists were alarmed and afraid for their lives. You will have to live with this for the rest of your life.” Now an edited version of that footage has been released by the forces Driver Training Unit to use the power of social media in delivering a shocking message to those tempted to break the law in the pursuit of high-speed thrills. This video shows thea motorcyclists at speeds of over 170mph, with Bowden following Mr Prowse as the pair broke the speed limit 30 times in just 20 minutes. After the crash, flying wreckage from his friend`s motorcycle knocked Bowden off his own matching 1,000cc machine. The forces unit has tweeted a message to go with the video footage, warning: Absolute madness on a motorcycle at 170mph on Cornish roads, and yes one crashes.