A rural Tyrone teen and a Port Matilda youth were both hurt in an accident involving two dirt bikes yesterday.
The accident happened at 7:50 p.m. on Bald Eagle Pike Road, approximately two miles west of State Route 220 in Taylor Township, Centre County.
Philipsburg-based state police said 17-year-old James Dale Gardner of RR 3, Tyrone, was west on the road and William S. Ramsey of rural Port Matilda was traveling east on the road.
The road was described as a narrow and winding country road. Police said it appeared neither operator realized they were headed toward each other. As both bikers rounded a slight curve in the road, they collided with each other. Both were ejected from their bikes. Police said Ramsey ended up on the road near his bike about 25 feet from where the impact happened. Gardner landed on the north side of the road in a shallow ditch about 10 feet from the impact site.
Gardner suffered a severe injury to his leg while Ramsey had a severe arm injury. Both were taken to the Altoona Regional Medical Center trauma unit for treatment.
Police said neither bike had lights and the crash happened after dark. They also said neither bike was street legal. Both bikes had moderate damage.
