Always wear a helmet... was repping ACC in mayday today!

[sonic909]

On my way to work this morning, going at normal traffic speed and someone was turning right, the passenger of the van then decided that they would jump out the van and run into the property on the right they were going into to save time.

I was behind the van, he braked and indicated right. He stopped in the middle of the road still turning right, i passed him on the left, in the 5 foot gap.

The next thing i know the door was open, my specialised carbon barmac handle bar dented the door quite badly, my Ionos helmet hit the doorframe and split under the carbon and then with the motion my head passed the door and my neck took the brunt of the impact.

Seconds later i had flown around the door over a parked car and was in the wet road confused and in agony...

My main worry was A getting out the wet road and B making sure my bike couldnt get run over or nicked.

By this point about 6 passers by had gathered, all shouting about ambulances and about not to move or remove my helmet, but on adrenalin i wriggled out of my bag and stoodup (hunched over in SOO much pain)

The van driver and passenger got my belongings out the road and they were brilliant, they took me home, and i rang ahead and my parents flew me to mayday.

I should of got an ambulance in hindsight, but at the time, despite excruciating neck/back/leg pain and the fact i was too worried about my cycle i went home and to hospital, everyone at hospital told me off for not getting an ambulance... i know for next time;)

Cycles mashed and now at GB having a report done for my insurance company.

Once i staggered into mayday i was classed major (was well into shock and shaking violently too) and strapped to a spinal board for 4 hours, which isnt nice as you cant even fidget or itch, or answer calls from worried people! and its scary as everythings going on around you and you cant see what/who!

I was in agony, and as the adrenaline and shock wore off it got worse... then the doctors that had examined me thought i had broken the top of my neck... 20 xrays later from every angle (and my brace ruining a few) they decided i hadnt, however my top vertabraes right peg was distressed and had fluid around it.

So, after a few hours of waiting for other Dr's to agree i was sent home to rest for at least 4 days, with some mega pain killers.

I have some major muscle damage to my neck, and a collection of blood in the muscle causing massive swelling however no clotting risk and it will repair itself and disperse in time!

Really didnt like being on the spinal board!

So there, what a day, remember guys... wear a good helmet, mine save my life today... so that was £150 well spent!

(Once the insurance is done i'll put up pics of my mashed bike and the massive (i am quite proud) dent i did in a doors edge!)

Heres a phone pic from hospital, check the neck buldge;

(the red line is the impact line)
[img]http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v255/sonic909/DSC00256.jpg[/img]

[img]http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v255/sonic909/DSC00257.jpg[/img]

[img]http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v255/sonic909/DSC00258.jpg[/img]

[img]http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v255/sonic909/DSC00259.jpg[/img]

[Snoop Doug]

crikey - shocker

Glad to hear you're still in one piece - take it easy

Snoop

[Antloony]

Wow that looks and sounds horendous. It really is a good job you were wearing your lid else the results would have been far worse no doubt. I was in a really nasty RTA about 7 years ago and was strapped to a spinal bored, not a pleasant experience. At least the van driver had the decency to help and not try and drive off like has happened before. Are you going to put a claim in against the passenger for your bike etc?

Hope you have a speedy recovery and get a shiny new bike and helmet out of it

[Andrew G]

Ouch that sounds REALLY nasty. Easy to say about ambulances after the event but when you go in to shock it's not the easiest thing to think rationally, you just can't.

Look after yourself and take it nice and easy. I hope you're feeling better soon, anything head/neck/back is very, very scary.

Always good to see people in Addiscombe colours and representing, but not so good when the background is a hospital .

[Michelle]

Ionos is a Giro helmet.

Christ almighty. What a shocker. Really hope you are ok Sonic.

You can get yours replaced for £40. I did with mine in May when I crashed, I have the one below yours, the Atmos

[Sylv]

Ouch, that neck would make Henry Rollins jealous!

[img]http://images.theage.com.au/ftage/ffximage/2008/05/22/300_rollins_080514015516970_wideweb__300x300.jpg[/img]


All the best for a quick recovery & back on the bike mate

[Will]

Sounds nasty... Glad you're ok. Get well soon!

[mrP(Boonen)VT]

Oh my god, what can I say - glad you're in one piece and that you will mend, and get the bike sorted eventually, even if it takes some time.
Glad those bars did some damage
All the best Keith.

Guru p

[Marky Mark]

Well sonic

What can I say speaking as a fellow tarmac muncher, I hope it looks worse than it really is and that there will be no long term damage.

[img]http://www.malaran.com/2.0/necksSM.gif[/img]

I know for a fact that my helmet saved me for sure. I still see people I know in the club riding with silly cloth caps on. Maybe we could have a ACC logo helmet at Butlers

Best of luck to you and get well soon and hope the bulge goes down soon (Ooooo er Matron ). Even the Mrs sends her best wishes to you.

All the best, Marky Mark

[mrP(Boonen)VT]

[quote]I know for a fact that my helmet saved me for sure. I still see people I know in the club riding with silly cloth caps on.

[quote="mrP(Boonen)VT"][quote]I know for a fact that my helmet saved me for sure. I still see people I know in the club riding with silly cloth caps on.

[mrP(Boonen)VT]

Mark,
The point I would like to make is that it's up to you as an individual if you want to wear a helmet, and also if you want to extol the virtues of helmet wearing, but please don't belittle those that choose not to.

[quote]I still see people I know in the club riding with silly cloth caps on.quote]

[Marky Mark]

I retract the word 'silly' and apologise for it , but stick firm with the meaning behind it .

I'd would also never tell people what to do, the only thing that does is put peoples backs up, It's like telling a kid not to do something!!.

Moving on swiftly with some good news , I am slowly getting some movement back in my hand and have decided to go and get some Physio at Shirley Oaks Hospital to speed things up even more. Roll on Wednesday for first pain session and if your unlucky i'll be back soon that'll be handy

Love, Marky Mark

[MJ_1993]

well when Monsieur PVT crashes wearing a 'silly cloth cap', then we are entitled to a little chuckle, unless:

-He becomes disabled or "differently abled"

or

-Dies, because thats just mean and nasty.

[mrP(Boonen)VT]

Oi - steady on.