Officer who hit motorcyclists ordered to pay $60,000

A former police officer who did a u-turn in the road, hitting and seriously injuring two motorcyclists, was today ordered to pay each victim $30,000 in reparation.

Anthony Dale Bridgman, 58, was found guilty of two counts of dangerous driving in March.

Bridgman was a Blenheim-based highway patrol sergeant when he did a u-turn in the Upper Buller Gorge to pursue a speeding motorcyclist in December 2007.

But his action resulted in two motorcyclists colliding with his patrol car. Both suffered serious head injuries.

Bridgman later retired from the police force after 30 years service.

He was also sentenced today to 100 hours community service and disqualified from driving for 12 months.

- NZPA