A TRUCKER who hit a motorway footbridge that collapsed and hurt a biker denied dangerous driving yesterday.
A digger on Alan Austen’s low-loader brought down 170 tons of concrete.
Motorcyclist James Shaw, 73, deliberately slid his bike to avoid a crash and broke three ribs.
It shut the M20 near West Malling, Kent, for several days last August.
Austen, 63, of Darlington, County Durham, appeared at Maidstone crown court.
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He pleaded not guilty to causing serious injury to Mr Shaw by dangerous driving and a second offence of dangerous driving.
Prosecutor Peter Forbes said the excavator collided with the bridge, causing it to fall on Austen's low loader as well as another lorry.
He said Mr Shaw had to take evasive action adding: "He was approaching the scene and made a decision, and a correct decision, to slide his motorbike and he was injured as a result."
Ian Bridge, defending, told the court Austen's vehicle and load had passed underneath three or four bridges before the accident.
The court was told an defence expert engineer would look into the possibility that the arm of the digger may have raised without Austen's knowledge while on its journey.
Austen was released on bail and will stand trial next February.
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