Motorcyclist died in hospital following NC500 crash with car in Caithness

A man who died following a crash between a motorcycle and a car in Caithness has been named.

Adrian Placzek, from Worthing in West Sussex, was riding a BMW motorbike when it was involved in a collision with a Skoda Karoq on Tuesday, June 14.

Emergency services were called to the scene at Quarryside in Castletown at around 3.15pm and the 59-year-old was taken to Caithness General Hospital before being transferred to Aberdeen Royal Infirmary for treatment.

However medical staff were unable to save him and he was pronounced dead on Wednesday, June 22.

His family have described him as a “keen motorcycle enthusiast” who was enjoying a holiday with friends on the North Coast 500 route when the incident happened.

He fought numerous critical injuries for a week in intensive care before he died.

The “devoted father to two young children, and his partner Linda” will “always be remembered fondly by the family and friends he leaves behind.”

Mr Placzek is the second motorcyclist to have been killed in crashes on the popular tourist route in recently.

Robbie Waddell, 52, was undertaking the NC500 trip on his red Honda motorcycle when he was involved in a collision with a white Volvo XC70. He was taken to Raigmore hospital in Inverness, where he later died.

Investigations are still under way to establish the full circumstances of the crash and police are appealing for information.

Sergeant Ewan Calder, of Highland and Islands Road Policing, said: “We are continuing with enquiries to establish the full circumstances of this incident, and our sympathies are very much with Adrian’s family at this distressing time.

“We would urge anyone who may have witnessed the crash, or who may have dashcam footage that could help our investigation, to please get in touch.”