motorcycle accident in Paget last year.

Walter Dabberdt flew in specially from his Boulder, Colorado home to give evidence in Magistrates' Court against a man he claims caused the accident.

Dabberdt is also seeking damages through civil court for a broken elbow and his wife Meredith's serious neck injuries which she believes are a result of the accident.

Truck driver Keith Smith, 41, of Cedar Avenue, denies driving without reasonable consideration.

Dabberdt, 50, and his wife Meredith were in Bermuda to celebrate their 25th wedding anniversary when the accident happened in September.

They were leaving the Glencoe Guest House on a livery cycle travelling at a speed of around 10 kph, according to Dabberdt.

He said: "We were travelling on Salt Kettle Lane going around a curve when a large truck came speeding down the hill. At least half of the truck was on my side of the road.'' Dabberdt estimated the speed of the truck to be at least 30 mph when he first saw it five to ten metres away from him.

"I took immediate evasive action and swerved to the left to miss the truck. I immediately had to turn right to avoid a large stone wall. The truck was literally just coming past me and I swerved left to miss its rear end.

"The bike hit the pavement and we fell off. It was difficult to regain myself and one of the major consequences was that I broke my left elbow which needed to be treated in Bermuda and the United States.

"My wife, we believe as a result of this accident, received neck injuries and underwent major surgery.'' He claims Smith returned some time later in the opposite direction and when told to stop by witnesses became abusive before driving off without offering to help.

Under cross-examination from Smith's lawyer, Mr. John Cooper, Dabberdt admitted that he had only ridden a motorbike when he was 16 years old.

But he said he had plenty of experience of riding the livery cycle over the four days before the accident.

Mr. Cooper said Smith would say he was travelling at only 5 mph and that Dabberdt panicked.

Smith will give evidence on September 29, when the case resumes.