Staff Report

A Portsmouth man who drove a motorcycle into a pallet of wood Monday escaped life-threatening injuries.

Just after 8 p.m., Anthony Abbate, of Byers Avenue in Portsmouth, was undergoing surgery at Sentara Norfolk General Hospital.

Around 4:30 p.m. rescue workers were called to the 84 Lumber company on Nansemond Parkway in Suffolk

near the Chesapeake line where the accident occurred.

Abbate, who was not wearing a helmet, had been operating a borrowed 1997 Suzuki motorcycle in the parking lot when he lost control and skidded into the wood, said Lt. Debbie George, Suffolk Police spokeswoman.

Abbate, who was airlifted to the hospital, sustained injuries to both his head and arm.