The courage of the rider is a second and even more compelling story. There
were about eight riders in his pace line, nearly all were teenagers (he's
47) who were from a church-related group and training for the
Seattle-to-Portland ride next month. I learned they were from a church when
a co-leader said a prayer over the prostrate rider. Just before the
accident, I was riding about a quarter mile behind with a young man on a
mountain bike who couldn't keep up with the pace line. When we reached the
accident site, someone had already called 911. The others were standing
around waiting for the ambulance. At one point two riders tried to lift the
injured rider's head to give him a drink of water. I suggested they not try
to move his neck. We then sent riders ahead and behind along the trail to
instruct other riders to dismount and walk by the scene. While we waited, I
held up my helmet to shade him from the sun (temperature was in the 80s --
hot for western Washington). He talked almost conversationally about the
bike and how the accident happen. All the while he laid on his back with his
arms and legs stretched out and unmoving.
The young men were somewhat stunned and didn't know what to do or how to
act. He talked to them in an unanxious voice, as if he were trying to help
them maintain composure. Occasionally, he talked about the injury. (That's
how I learned the details.) He was concerned that he couldn't move his
limbs, but once or twice he felt a nudge when someone touched him. That
brought him some comfort.
We probably waited 15-20 minutes before the EMTs arrived. I then left
because there were too many people hanging around and staring at him. I was
irritated by some of the cyclists who passed by uttering *Poor guy* and *Oh,
I'm so sorry.* and the worst was *Jesus, really?!! He can't move!?* I
remember from First Aid training not to utter pessimistic comments to help
the victim maintain composure.
I've been trying to locate the medical sources to find out the results of
his injury. I hope to find out tomorrow or the next few days.
He was a very brave man. I'm sure I would have *freaked out.* But he never
lost his composure. A true leader in the face of tragedy.
On the way home, I mentioned this incident to someone I'd just met. He
recounted one time how he fell 35 feet and was paralyzed from the neck down
for six hours. For the next couple weeks, he wore a neck brace and suffered
an excruciating burning sensation whenever he was touched.
I hope that the cyclist on the trail that day also is as lucky and only
suffers temporary injuries.
"Pistof" <
[email protected]> wrote in message
news:
[email protected]...
> "Dorian Smith" <[email protected]> wrote in message
> news:[email protected]...
> > Any word on the strength of Kevlar forks? Yesterday I came upon an
> accident
> > on a local bike trail. The rider had struck a post and was paralyzed
from
> > the neck down. During the impact, his forks had snapped just below the
> > brakes. The wheel was still attached. I examined the severed part of the
> > forks and noted that they were cleanly broken.
> >
> > Not only did this accident firmly convince me to wear a helmet and ride
> > safely, but I'm now suspicious of non-metal materials. Should I be? The
> > rider said the bike was a two-year old Trek with Kevlar forks.
>
> That's horrible. Do you know it he'll be paralyzed for the rest of his
> life?
>
> Dave
>
>
