The cause of the spill was believed to be a concrete pump truck that leaked hydraulic fluid on Saturday.

There was also an oil spill on the New England Highway on Friday which coated sections of the highway between East Maitland and Rutherford, causing major traffic delays.

The hydraulic fluid spill on Saturday is believed to have been responsible for Mrs Wilson’s accident, which has left her badly shaken and with a $2000 repair bill.

Police were still investigating yesterday.

Surrounded by other motorcyclists on a charity ride for breast cancer, her Harley-Davidson slid out from under her and sent her skidding across the road about 10.30am on Saturday.

Ironically, the oil slick she said caused the crash also cushioned her fall. She fell heavily on her hip and escaped with cuts and bruises.

She was taken to Maitland Hospital with heart problems caused by the shock of the accident. The cost of repairing her motorcycle is estimated at $2000.

Mrs Wilson said she was angry the spill had not been cleaned up.

And her clothes were coated with oil that washing has failed to remove.

“I was in the top 10 bikes and there was a bike on either side of me – I had nowhere to go, I had to go through it [the oil],” a shaken Mrs Wilson said yesterday.

“My clothes were soaked in oil and stank.

“It should have been cleaned up – it’s absolutely disgraceful.”

The accident also shook her confidence to get back on her motorcycle, despite hundreds of rides over the past five years.

“I’m a bit shaken up about getting back on the bike,” she said.

“I organised a ride to South West Rocks this weekend and I’m still deciding whether to ride that.”

Acting Inspector Angela Burnell at Maitland police station said they were investigating Friday spill and Saturday’s

accident.

“Investigations as to the circumstances of the incident on Friday are continuing,” she said.