A motorcyclist narrowly avoided a head‑on collision with a large lorry on a dual carriageway near Junction 31 of the Lakeside Shopping Centre in Grays, Essex, on Thursday morning.
Opposite‑direction traffic had been stalled for hours after a crash further down the road, while the lane in the rider’s direction remained clear, setting the stage for the dangerous encounter.
The rider, traveling at approximately 40 mph in a 50 mph zone, saw the lorry approaching from the wrong side of the road and swerved to the roadside edge, braking sharply as the truck passed within an inch or two of the motorcycle.
In a recorded statement, the rider said the incident felt less like a moment of panic and more like a bewildering “what are you doing?” experience, noting that the proximity of the truck forced an immediate reaction.
Essex Police have opened an investigation for driving without due care and attention and are working to identify the lorry driver.
The motorcyclist, who has been riding motorcycles for most of their life, said the event left them angry and disbelieving, and they have not ridden since the incident.
They emphasized the importance of driver awareness, noting that motorcyclists often record such incidents to promote safety and accountability on the road.
