Motorcyclists injured in Beacon accident

Fri, Jul 18, 2008    to del.icio.us

A Byron Center couple was injured when their motorcycle was hit while they were driving down the shoulder of northbound Beacon (U.S. 31) south of Taylor Street late this afternoon.

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Samuel, 56 and Laura, 53 Runge were taken by ambulance to North Ottawa Community Hospital following the 4:20 p.m. accident. Samuel was then transferred by Aero Med helicopter to Grand Rapids for treatment of a severe leg injury, according to Sgt. Chip Wright, Grand Haven Department of Public Safety.

Laura had an abrasion on her face and was still being evaluated at North Ottawa at the time of this report.

Traffic on northbound Beacon was bumper-to-bumper at the time and had stopped to allow a vehicle to cross from southbound Beacon into the parking lot of Huntington Banks when the motorcycle came up along the shoulder and was struck.

Wright said it was unknown how far the motorcycle had traveled along the shoulder or whether or not the driver was trying to skirt around the backed up traffic.

There is a sign that says "No Driving on Shoulder" a short distance before where the accident occurred, Wright said.

It was also unknown whether or not the couple was headed to Muskegon for Bike Week activities.

The accident is still under investigation and more information will be published when it becomes available.