Dire Straits' star's smash nightmare

Rock legend Mark Knopfler was left with nine broken bones after a motorbike crash which could have ended his career, a court heard yesterday.

The Dire Straits guitarist was hurled into the air after motorist Monica Beltran, 23, swerved into the path of his 800cc Honda touring bike.

Knopfler, 54, was unable to play guitar for seven months and underwent more than a year of physiotherapy.

He told Horseferry Road Magistrates Court he was on his way to a rehearsal in London Bridge when the crash happened. As he pulled away from traffic lights on the Embankment, he went to overtake Beltran's red Fiat.

He said: 'As I was moving out to pass it I was about 5ft from the boot of the car. I moved up just behind the driver's door because I can remember seeing her hands on the wheel.

'The car did not indicate. It was about 3ft to my left but that narrowed very quickly as the car moved to the right.

'I had to move to the right myself. Unfortunately, I could not go any farther right as there was traffic coming the other way. I did not have time to take any evasive action.'

The court heard Knopfler's bike was hit by the Fiat and he was sent flying through the air before landing hard on his back. His motorcycle was sent skidding along the road.

Prosecutor Emma Jones said the crash was seen by drivers travelling behind and they stopped to help the musician.

Beltran, of Camberwell, South-East London, denies driving without due care and attention, claiming she was indicating to turn right when the star smashed into the side of her car.