A Bermudian motorcyclist injured in a collision with a golf cart on a public road running through Mid Ocean Club in Tucker’s Town is calling for club patrons to take more care.

Anthony Seaman, 60, suffered extensive injuries in the incident, and is still unable to work almost four months after the accident, which also damaged his prized vintage motorcycle beyond repair.

Although the driver of the golf cart involved in the crash is a member of Mid Ocean, the club has pointed out that the accident took place on a public road that runs through the course.

The club also notes that the accident involved a private cart rather than a cart from its own fleet of buggies.

Mr Seaman’s quest for compensation has been further hampered by the cart driver, a visitor, having returned to New York the day after the incident.

Speaking to The Royal Gazette, Mr Seaman explained that he was driving on Paynters Road — a public route that runs through the course — on September 4, when the cart pulled out into his path.

He said: “I was thrown head over heels. There wasn’t anything I could do about it.”

Mr Seaman, who plays the course and is familiar with it, said poor visibility may have been one of the causes of the accident.

He said: “The Mid Ocean is saying that it’s nothing to do with them because it involved private vehicles on a public road.

“But I’ve noticed that, since the accident, they’ve cut back the hedges to improve visibility at the site where the accident happened, and also put up warning signs to motorists that they’re approaching a golf cart path that crosses the road.

“Perhaps the cart driver didn’t see me as I came around the corner.

“But it’s the golf carts that need to take more caution. I’ve heard of other ‘almost’ accidents that have happened. I’ve heard of carts being driven by children. It’s not acceptable.”

Mr Seaman did write to the club asking for assistance in resolving the matter.

Austin Gravestock, the club’s chief executive and general manager, replied in part: “The Mid Ocean Club is not able to get involved with matters relating to privately owned property, nor any vehicles that owners may use whilst occupying their properties.”

Mr Gravestock added that the club’s carts were insured and members were forbidden from using private vehicles on the course.

He said: “We do not permit them to be used on our golf course, something we regularly remind our members of in our e-mail newsletters.

“I am sorry that we are not able to be more helpful. I would suggest that your best course of action is to make such inquiries with the police officers who dealt with the incident.”

Mr Seaman was interviewed by police after leaving hospital and cautioned, but does not know if he or the other driver will be prosecuted.

He said he has been unable to contact the other motorist because, although the name and address is included in a handwritten police report provided by police, the writing is illegible.

He said: “I feel as if I’ve been left high and dry with nobody willing to help.”

A Bermuda Police Service spokesman said that the findings of the initial investigation into this matter were reviewed by a senior officer. That review has been submitted to the office of the Director of Public Prosecutions.

“Any compensation being sought will have to be dealt with as a civil matter.

“While the police do not get involved with civil litigation, the names and addresses of the parties involved are included on the accident report. Each driver would have been provided a copy of that report.”

The Department of Public Prosecutions was unable to confirm if it will be taking action against either driver.

Mr Seaman contacted the newspaper last week to express concerns over the incident.

In a Letter to the Editor published in today’s edition seeking “fair treatment and justice” for Bermudians, he wrote: “My purpose in sharing this experience is to bring attention to the facts that after I wrote a letter to both the Mid Ocean Club and the police, no one is taking accountability of what happened to me, nor are they even willing to assist.

“I’ve been informed that Mid Ocean Club are not able to get involved with matters relating to privately owned property or vehicles. I understand that I would have to pursue this as a civil matter. This means more time, money, stress.

“The disparity in treatment and the potential for blame to be unfairly placed on us, the licensed road users, is a matter of grave concern.

“We believe in a Bermuda where fairness prevails for all, irrespective of nationality, and where the concerns and wellbeing of our own people are given the attention, they deserve.”