REALLY bad crash at FATS (deep step) 9-19-2010

[neal1975]

I was just leaving fats sunday afternoon when the ambulances were going up and down woodlawn road looking for a rider. I followed the ambulance and offered to try and ride out and find this rider, they said he was on deep step near the powerlines-

When i got to the rider, it looked like he had been hit in the face with a shovel, his face was gashed open and they were putting him in a neck brace, etc.. The parametics had got there a few minutes before i did and were checking his vitals. They said he couldnt even lay down on the stretcher because he was choking on his own blood.

It took us about an hour or two to help the guy out of the woods but we finally made it. If it hadnt been for two guys that showed up with a four wheeler, they NEVER would have got this dude out of the woods, so huge thanks to those two guys

Does anyone have any info about this rider? I hope that there was no serious neck injury. Just from observing the rider it looked kinda bad. Does anyone know more about it-

After witnessing this accident, it made me re-think my riding style a little bit. I just had to realize - that just as easily could have been me, and i dont even have health insurance. I am really just out there for excercise and fresh air and scenery, im not out there anymore to take risks and end up laying on the side of the trail waiting for rescue.

Everyone, seriously - think about your safety when you ride. If you had seen this rider, you would take a really really hard second look at your priorities and riding style. it isnt worth the risk to ride past your limits or dangerously. it can end really badly and happen to you just like it did to this dude. Just be safe out there-

[dgaddis1]

I wonder what happened. Seenvic said the front wheel was off....I wonder if it came off during the crash, or it came off and caused the crash. A wheel coming off will put you onto your face faster than you can imagine - trust me, I know, been there done that, got the stitches, chipped tooth, and medical bills to prove it. And I was only going 3mph.

I hope he's alright.

Wear a helmet folks.

[Mark Y]

Dustin, that makes sense. If the fork was broken and the wheel off; it sounds like he caught air, the wheel fell off, and he planted the forks in the dirt at speed.

If anyone gets an update on this guy's situation, please post and let us know.

[seenvic]

Neil,
Who were you at the scene? I just thought the riders with the patient had been with him at the time of the accident.

Were you the skinny guy with straight brown hair trying to figure out how to get all the bikes out?

Do you think the wheel came off before or after impact? I thought before but for some reason the conversation at the scene had me thinking it was after. Either way, I have lost my front wheel mid air and like Dustin, fully aware of the speed at which your face is slammed to the ground when this happens. I am lucky I still have all my teeth.

[robwillie]

Neal you make a great point about riding within your limits. I try to preach this to new people when I take them out.

[neal1975]

yeh i was the guy (in grey and black) who pushed his bike out for a little ways until the 4 wheeler dudes came.

I havent been called skinny in quite a while, i think you might have me mixed up with someone else LOL

I dont think the wheel came off causing the crash- i think he was traveling at high speed and lost control , possibly hitting that tree that he was leaned up next to. He hit his front fork so hard it was cracked in half and bent sideways.

Either way, if your coming down a hill like that and your front wheel comes off for any reason, your in serious trouble and going to be eating a dirt sandwich.

I was really glad to see the guy make it out of the woods and seemed conscious but with a way busted up face. hopefully hes ok-

I did not see him with a helmet.


Wear a helmet for christ sake everyone, thats the LEAST you can do-

[seenvic]

Neal,
I remember you. You were a big help in a tight spot. You stayed very cool out there, I thought. That was a heavy situation, IMHO.

You came on the scene after me. I was in the blue tshirt and on the green bike.....trying to find a shortcut out to Deep Step Rd.

Injured rider had a helmet on, no doubt. After he was taken out, I asked the guys taking the back board out and they had his helmet with them.

[lee79]

Does anyone wear a mouth guard when they ride? Just curious.

[Mark Y]

Sept 23, 2010 18:58:27 GMT -5 lee79 said:

Does anyone wear a mouth guard when they ride? Just curious.

No, but I'll be doggoned if I don't need knee and elbow pads. Durned if I don't keep a scab on one of the 4 all the time.

[brianW]

Have not worn a mouth guard since my hockey years.

[JIMMYC]

never have thought of a mouth piece, but have thought if it wasn't so hot my BMX gear would be the thing to wear.

[ehscott]

I've worn a mouthpiece before, but it is hard to drink without taking it out, which means stopping or risk dropping it in the dirt trying to hold the handlebars and the mouthpiece.

[seenvic]

Sept 24, 2010 10:47:09 GMT -5 ehscott said:

I've worn a mouthpiece before, but it is hard to drink without taking it out, which means stopping or risk dropping it in the dirt trying to hold the handlebars and the mouthpiece.

Invention. The hydration pack bite valve with a built in mouthpiece! You never even have to reach for the vale, it is already in your mouth. And it protects your teeth in wreck.

I think I'll stick with water bottles unless the ride is long.

[ehscott]

I used my hydration pack, it is hard to swallow much water with the mouthpiece in without trying to swallow the mouthpiece as well.

I decided it was easier to just pay attention to how I was riding and leave the mouthpiece out

[Mark Y]

By the time I need water I'm mouth breathing anyway, and its hard enough to drink between gasps without anything else in the way.