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267 Posts
Hello Everyone,
I was riding down a lonely stretch of Florida 2 lane this afternoon when I rounded a corner to find 2 bikes in the road - 2 riders and 2 co-riders. One of the bikes was a VTX1800 and the rider was seriously injured. I won't include any names or scene information out of respect for the family. Let's suffice it to say it was a very serious situation. All riders were related which made it an emotional wait for a life flight bird to arrive.
The accident was out in the middle of no where and was the first ride for the couple on their new VTX. What a tragedy. Watching the accident scene unfold brought several things to mind as a lone rider. Although riding out in the middle of nowhere is often my favorite type of riding, I realized that the more isolated an area the more difficult in the event of an accident. Few people on the scene had any cell phone service making a 911 call difficult. Due to the remote area, medical help was delayed in arriving. Other things that occurred to me was that I carry absolutely no medical equipment on my bike - not even a bandaid. My CPR skills are out of date and I have never taken an accident scene course. Many bystanders had no idea how to do CPR or had any medical training at all. In addition, obviously some scene personnel are not aware that helmets should not be removed - especially in the case of severe head trauma - and some do not know to look on the helmet for possible ID and medical information. I also learned that people may not stop when they see an accident. I'm not talking about after it is secured - but actually seeing it happen. I would expect this in a large city but not in rural Florida. I also learned that officials know little about motorcycles. After 15 minutes, I simply couldn't stand the fact that no one had bothered to turn off the bikes and the potential hazard that posed. When I finally asked them about it, turns out no one knew to check or even realized they were still on.
On a positive note, that area of Florida is full of very caring people who helped in every way they could - clearing traffic and consoling family members.
Sadly, I learned that I might have been of more help if I had been better prepared (medical equipment and accident course). A friend of mine was telling me just the other day that the course includes information on how to secure the scene as well as how to deal with riders/coriders. I was reminded of this when a family member was going to pick up the one bike and ride it to the hospital! In traumatic situations, we don't always think clearly and it is up to others on the scene to assist as needed. When dealing with emotionally traumatized family, this may not be as easy as it may seem. As it was, I was able to do little more than direct traffic, clear an area for the helicopter to land, and help load the bikes on the tow truck. I realize that perhaps the extra equipment and training might not have changed the outcome of events but I would have certainly been of more use than I was.
Please everyone, keep this family in your prayers tonight. It was the maiden voyage of the bike and a new 1800 rider. This family will be in my prayers and hopefully I will be better prepared the next time I run across an accident scene.
UPDATE:
I am sorry to report that the gentleman injured did not make it. The news report says he died at the hospital. Although he had a severe head injury, I had prayed that he would make it. Thank you all for the prayers sent to the family.
I was riding down a lonely stretch of Florida 2 lane this afternoon when I rounded a corner to find 2 bikes in the road - 2 riders and 2 co-riders. One of the bikes was a VTX1800 and the rider was seriously injured. I won't include any names or scene information out of respect for the family. Let's suffice it to say it was a very serious situation. All riders were related which made it an emotional wait for a life flight bird to arrive.
The accident was out in the middle of no where and was the first ride for the couple on their new VTX. What a tragedy. Watching the accident scene unfold brought several things to mind as a lone rider. Although riding out in the middle of nowhere is often my favorite type of riding, I realized that the more isolated an area the more difficult in the event of an accident. Few people on the scene had any cell phone service making a 911 call difficult. Due to the remote area, medical help was delayed in arriving. Other things that occurred to me was that I carry absolutely no medical equipment on my bike - not even a bandaid. My CPR skills are out of date and I have never taken an accident scene course. Many bystanders had no idea how to do CPR or had any medical training at all. In addition, obviously some scene personnel are not aware that helmets should not be removed - especially in the case of severe head trauma - and some do not know to look on the helmet for possible ID and medical information. I also learned that people may not stop when they see an accident. I'm not talking about after it is secured - but actually seeing it happen. I would expect this in a large city but not in rural Florida. I also learned that officials know little about motorcycles. After 15 minutes, I simply couldn't stand the fact that no one had bothered to turn off the bikes and the potential hazard that posed. When I finally asked them about it, turns out no one knew to check or even realized they were still on.
On a positive note, that area of Florida is full of very caring people who helped in every way they could - clearing traffic and consoling family members.
Sadly, I learned that I might have been of more help if I had been better prepared (medical equipment and accident course). A friend of mine was telling me just the other day that the course includes information on how to secure the scene as well as how to deal with riders/coriders. I was reminded of this when a family member was going to pick up the one bike and ride it to the hospital! In traumatic situations, we don't always think clearly and it is up to others on the scene to assist as needed. When dealing with emotionally traumatized family, this may not be as easy as it may seem. As it was, I was able to do little more than direct traffic, clear an area for the helicopter to land, and help load the bikes on the tow truck. I realize that perhaps the extra equipment and training might not have changed the outcome of events but I would have certainly been of more use than I was.
Please everyone, keep this family in your prayers tonight. It was the maiden voyage of the bike and a new 1800 rider. This family will be in my prayers and hopefully I will be better prepared the next time I run across an accident scene.
UPDATE:
I am sorry to report that the gentleman injured did not make it. The news report says he died at the hospital. Although he had a severe head injury, I had prayed that he would make it. Thank you all for the prayers sent to the family.
