ROCKPORT — A man was seriously injured Sunday afternoon, Aug. 4, after colliding with a sedan on Route 17 in Rockport. The Harley caught fire, and the motorcyclist was thrown and then slid 50 feet along pavement onto the side of the busy highway.

Sixteen Rockport firefighters responded on the hot summer afternoon, pausing traffic to help a North East Mobile Health Services ambulance crew rescue and transport injured motorcycle rider Mark Porter, 58, of Washington, to Pen Bay Medical Center, in Rockport.

According to Fire Chief Jason Peasley, Porter suffered full body injuries, with a possible leg fracture.

Camden-Rockport Police Chief Randy Gagne reported that Eduardo Bernal, 66, of Camden, was driving a 2001 Honda Accord. Bernal pulled out from Meadow Street, turning left onto Route 17 toward Rockland,  and into the path of the oncoming motorcycle.

The speed limit along that stretch of highway is 55 mph.

The impact of the motorcycle hitting the front driver’s side door was strong enough to send the motorcyclist into the air and then down onto the pavement.

Firefighters called for mutual aid ambulance from Rockland Fire and EMS because North East Mobile Health had but one ambulance available, Peasley said. 

The driver of the Honda, while having a hard time extracting from the car because of the crumpled front end, was able to exit the window and was not injured. He refused hospital transport, firefighters said.

Sgt. James Moore, of Rockport Police Dept., is investigating the crash and more details will be posted when they become available.

Reach Editorial Director Lynda Clancy at lyndaclancy@penbaypilot.com; 207-706-6657