It was a beautiful sunny day so even Honda riders like me were out and about. I was travelling along the M27 mid morning on my Pan and the traffic was light. All was well with the world and I was whistling to myself as I glided along at 70 mph (honestly).

Suddenly my eye caught some strange movement on a white van just 2 cars in front of me. Within less than a second the idyllic scene transformed into a life threatening prospect! A pair of aluminium ladders literally unpeeled from the roof of the van and lifted 20 foot in the air!

The two cars in front me began braking and swerving like mad men. I mentally made a note of the position of the ladders and associated debris, checked my mirror and the kamikaze cars and applied the hardest progressive braking I had ever tried.

Due to my extended following position I had a good view of everything, was able to slow to a safe speed and successfully counter steer around the obstacle course in front of me.

The two cars decided to avoid the ladders and hit each other instead like bumper cars at the fair! As far as I could see nobody was seriously hurt. I pulled over and called the police and they arrived within a few minutes to clear up and prevent follow-on accidents.

I honestly believe that without the SAM training I may not have been able to cope with this emergency situation and could well have panicked and become the meat in between the two cars sandwich or could have watched the ladders until I hit them!

So thanks guys and please remind everyone to look out for flying ladders!

Peter Bradshaw