Mon, 08/18/2014 - 1:00pm

Holly S. Edwards

William Phillips of Palos Heights, Ill., was traveling with two other motorcycles, all from Illinois, on Route 1 in Rockport Sunday afternoon when he hit his front brake too hard and his front tire wrenched to the right, causing the bike to fall over. (Photo by Holly S. Edwards)

Rockport Police Officer Cooper Plaisted talks to William Phillips in the back of the ambulance after his motorcycle accident Sunday afternoon. (Photo by Holly S. Edwards)

ROCKPORT — William Phillips of Palos Heights, Ill., sustained a possible broken ankle Sunday afternoon when he got caught off guard by traffic stopped ahead of him and applied his front wheel brakes too hard, according to Rockport Police Sgt. Travis Ford.

Phillips, of 72, was traveling on his 1995 Honda, towing a trailer, with two other motorcyclists on Route 1 when the accident occurred, around 2:30 p.m.

One of the friends traveling with Phillips on another bike, in front of him, said a car stopped on the road to turn left, into the Country Inn, and they slowed to a stop behind it.

Phillips told police that the bike in front slowed quickly and caught him off guard.

“He said he hit the brake too hard, the front brake, and that, coupled with the trailer he was towing, sent the whole bike off on its side,” said Ford. “The bike fell on his ankle and he slid for a bit before coming to a stop.”

Ford said that besides the ankle injury, Phillips sustained very minor abrasions to his hand and an elbow as well.

Rockport Fire Department responded to the scene along with Rockport police and a North East Mobile Health Services ambulance.

Phillips was taken to Pen Bay Medical Center, where he was released later Sunday evening.

“It must be a bummer to have this happen while on vacation,” said Ford.