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Boy injured after motorcyclist ‘deliberately’ swerves at him in Reculver Lane, Herne Bay

A teenage boy has described the terrifying moment a motorcyclist “deliberately” swerved into his path and caused him to fall off his bicycle.

William Johnston was riding with a friend along a country lane near Herne Bay when he says the biker suddenly veered towards them.

William Johnston, 14, was swerved at by a biker as he cycled along Reculver Lane in Herne Bay. Picture: Michele Rowan
William Johnston, 14, was swerved at by a biker as he cycled along Reculver Lane in Herne Bay. Picture: Michele Rowan

The 14-year-old says the motorcyclist first turned towards his pal, who managed to stay on his bike, but then then targeted him, causing him to tumble into the road.

Pictures show the extent of his injuries, which included cuts to his face, shoulder and knee, as well as a black eye and sore wrist.

Recalling events, William told Kent Online he was riding along Reculver Lane shortly after 6pm Saturday when he spotted the bike approaching him.

“I was with my friend going to meet my mum at the pub,” he said.

“But a motorbike swerved at my friend and came really close to him.

William Johnston, 14, suffered various injuries but none were serious. Picture: Michele Rowan
William Johnston, 14, suffered various injuries but none were serious. Picture: Michele Rowan

“He then swerved at me and came really close so I lost balance and fell off my bike.

“I was very scared because I did not know what was going to happen to me, and my anxiety kicked in straight away.”

William landed on gravel near an entrance to farmland while the biker left the scene, leaving the injured youngster lying on the ground.

He phoned his mum, Michele Rowan, who was at the nearby King Ethelbert Inn, where she had arranged to meet her son.

She said: “I was really scared when he phoned as I did not know what had happened. It was awful.

William Johnston was riding along Reculver Lane in Herne Bay with his friend. Picture: Google
William Johnston was riding along Reculver Lane in Herne Bay with his friend. Picture: Google

“I was angry when I saw the injuries and I felt really sorry for my son.

“It could have ended up a lot worse than it did.

“He has not been on his bike since – it’s wrecked now.”

William and his mum believe the biker intended to drive towards the two youngsters.

“The motorcyclist deliberately swerved at William but the motorbike did not collide with him,” Ms Rowan, 40, added.

“The motorbike took off after and did not even stop to see if he was OK.”

“I was really scared when he phoned as I did not know what had happened…”

Ms Rowan says she reported the incident to police.

A spokesperson confirmed they were contacted about a crash in Reculver Lane on Saturday.

But they did not have any further details about the incident and did not say if officers were investigating.

“We were called at 6.47pm to Reculver Lane, Herne Bay following reports of a collision involving a motorbike and a cyclist,” they said.

“Officers and paramedics attended and the cyclist, a teenage boy, reported minor injuries.”

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