h2g2 The Hitchhiker's Guide to the Galaxy: Earth Edition

On Nov 13, 2008 I wrote a journal entry: "Is there a hidden meaning?

Not for the first time there is a BBC headline that reads:

'Motorcyclist dies after accident'

followed by:

"A male motorcyclist has died following an accident on the Old Holywood Road in Belfast. It happened at about 2040 GMT on Wednesday. No other vehicles were involved."

Today, Aug 29, 2009 I read the BBC headline:

'Motorcyclist killed in accident'
Followed by:
A man has died in an accident on a road on the outskirts of east Belfast, the police have said. The man was riding a motorcycle and it is understood this was the only vehicle involved in the crash.

Can anyone suggest a reason why Northern Irish male motorcyclists killing themselves in accidents in which no other vehicles or people are involved warrants headline status with Auntie?

I have no idea.

But you must admoit - it's a bit odd!

But you must admit - it's a bit odd!

If he wasn't drunk, fell asleep, or had some technical failure, it is certainly odd.

But even if he were, it's still hardly international headline news and it's NOT just the silly season as the previous one was in November and I am pretty sure that earlier ones were not in August. It is ALWAYS Belfast and ALWAYS a lone motorcyclist and there is NEVER any other vehicle or person involved.