wasn't properly filled in by workmen.

Harbour Radio officer Mr. Joe Pagnam says he crashed where the trench crosses North Shore Road, breaking his thumb. He is now off work for a week, and the break could take six weeks to heal.

He says the trench, part of cable-laying works between Flatts and Shelly Bay, wasn't filled to the level of the road and had a dangerous surface.

But Island Construction, who are doing the work, say it was perfectly safe and filled at least level with the road.

Mr. Pagnam, 39, of My Lord's Bay Road, said he was riding his motorbike along the road at about 5.45 p.m. on Tuesday.

"A bike in front lost control going over the trench. He fell off and I had to brake quickly. By this time I was also crossing the trench, braking on that sandy surface.

"I fell pretty badly but I managed to ride home. The person who fell off in front of me apparently picked himself up and went home.'' The uncovered trench was between three and six inches deep and three feet wide, he added. "It was highly dangerous. Someone could have been killed there.'' Mr. Pagnam, a runner who also writes about the sport, said he cannot do his job and has to take painkillers.

He said he had always found workers on the site courteous and helpful. But he is thinking of taking legal action because of inconvenience he has suffered, he added.

Mr. Zane DeSilva, part-owner of Island Construction, said: "We make sure that the trench is right up to the road surface. For him to say it was three to six inches deep, that's out of the question.'' The surface was "pretty firm'' and there would not have been any sagging, he said.

"If anything it had a little rise to it. It was perfectly safe.

"I'd be happy to talk to him if he wanted to contact me and let me know what happened. We leave it as safe as we can.'' Mr. DeSilva added he expected the trench to be finally asphalted over sometime yesterday.

Police spokesman P.c. Gary Venning said: "I can confirm that the accident was reported and it is being investigated.'' Mr. Stanley Oliver, permanent secretary at Works and Engineering, refused to comment. "I don't want to talk about that project,'' he said.

TRENCH WARFARE -- Crash victim Mr. Joe Pagnam blames the state of these roadworks for his broken thumb.