Go Back   Horizons Unlimited - The HUBB > Ride Tales, Trip Reports and Stories > Ride Tales
My LITTLE accident. My LITTLE accident.
Register FAQ Calendar Today's Posts
Ride Tales Post your ride reports for a weekend ride or around the world. Please make the first words of the title WHERE the ride is. Please do NOT just post a link to your site. For a link, see Get a Link.
Photo by Helmut Koch, Vivid sky with Northern Lights, Yukon, Canada

I haven't been everywhere...
but it's on my list!


Photo by Helmut Koch,
Camping under Northern Lights,
Yukon, Canada



 
 
LinkBack Thread Tools Display Modes
Prev Previous Post   Next Post Next
  #1  
Old 14 May 2010
Registered Users
HUBB regular
  
Join Date: Nov 2009
Location: George, South Africa
Posts: 21
My LITTLE accident.
Hi all riders. I can finally use both my hands again. On 20 March I was in a motorcycle accident that left me in hospital for over 6 weeks, first 10 days of it in ICU. I cannot remember anything of the accident. Last I remember was filling my bike with fuel, and then I woke up in hospital the next day. A car driving in front of me made a U-turn in the road without any indication of it. I drove literally into the car on the driver’s door, passed out while still on the bike after hitting the car with my head, and the bike started burning from fuel that came out of my tank from the impact.

When I woke up in the hospital the following day I couldn’t move anything or speak, I only saw my parents and the doctors looking at me. I was on a lot of pain medication. After 5 days in ICU they removed the pipes from my throat and I was able to speak again. The doctors gave me a full damage report. I tore my colon and main vein from the impact, severe 3rd degree burns on most left leg and top right leg, broke my right hand wrist in 2 places, left hand wrist ligament stretch, right eye nerve damaged(seeing double from front to right), throat nerve damaged(struggling to swallow food), and some glass in my forehead.

I was in surgery that night for more that 3 hours. When they cut me open I already lost 3 liters of blood. The main vein and colon was their biggest concern. After 9 days they did a skin transplant for my burn wounds, but it was unsuccessful due to infection. It took more than a week on cleaning the wounds daily in a bath with water, and taking a lot of antibiotics. The infection was gone and they cleaned the wounds for another skin transplant. The 2nd one was successful and I was recovering fast and strong. On 3 May I went home and I was able to walk out of the hospital.

At the moment my legs still have 3 small areas that must recover. I am still seeing double and struggling to swallow food, but the nerve should be healed in about 3 months. Both my hands’ wrist is still very weak. My main vein and colon recovered well. I am just very unfit as I spent 5 and half weeks in bed. I try to walk now as much as possible so the skin can stretch over my left knee. I am just very grateful to be alive and not having any permanent body damage. My bike is written off and I’m already on the lookout for a new one. My dream for going around Africa next is still in place, it may just start later due to financial reasons.

HorizonsUnlimited.com kept me motivated and my dream alive while in hospital and going through all the pain of burn wounds. Thank You





Safe Riding
Rassie
__________________
He who lives the adventurous life will remain unafraid when he finds himself alone - Raymond B. Fosdick
Last edited by RasMan; 6 Jun 2010 at 22:16. Reason: some pics
Reply With Quote
 

« Previous Thread | Next Thread »

Currently Active Users Viewing This Thread: 1 (0 Registered Users and/or Members and 1 guests)
 

Posting Rules
You may not post new threads
You may not post replies
You may not post attachments
You may not edit your posts
BB code is On
Smilies are On
[IMG] code is On
HTML code is Off
Trackbacks are On
Pingbacks are On
Refbacks are On

Similar Threads
Thread Thread Starter Forum Replies Last Post
Mine-accident in Mauritania Ulrich North Africa 1 29 Dec 2009 19:49
The Accident I survived yoni Travellers' questions that don't fit anywhere else 10 31 May 2007 00:49
if you have an accident in russia moggy 1968 Northern and Central Asia 2 24 Sep 2006 13:24
Accident in Russia. Steve Pickford Travellers' Advisories, Safety and Security on the Road 4 3 Jul 2004 09:19
Road Accident - Now what??! dw Travellers' Advisories, Safety and Security on the Road 2 23 Jul 2000 03:06

 
 

Announcements

Thinking about traveling? Not sure about the whole thing? Watch the HU Achievable Dream Video Trailers and then get ALL the information you need to get inspired and learn how to travel anywhere in the world!

Have YOU ever wondered who has ridden around the world? We did too - and now here's the list of Circumnavigators!
Check it out now, and add your information if we didn't find you.

Next HU Eventscalendar

HU Event and other updates on the HUBB Forum "Traveller's Advisories" thread.
ALL Dates subject to change.

2024:

Add yourself to the Updates List for each event!

Questions about an event? Ask here

HUBBUK: info

See all event details

 
World's most listened to Adventure Motorbike Show!
Check the RAW segments; Grant, your HU host is on every month!
Episodes below to listen to while you, err, pretend to do something or other...

2020 Edition of Chris Scott's Adventure Motorcycling Handbook.

2020 Edition of Chris Scott's Adventure Motorcycling Handbook.

"Ultimate global guide for red-blooded bikers planning overseas exploration. Covers choice & preparation of best bike, shipping overseas, baggage design, riding techniques, travel health, visas, documentation, safety and useful addresses." Recommended. (Grant)



Ripcord Rescue Travel Insurance.

Ripcord Rescue Travel Insurance™ combines into a single integrated program the best evacuation and rescue with the premier travel insurance coverages designed for adventurers.

Led by special operations veterans, Stanford Medicine affiliated physicians, paramedics and other travel experts, Ripcord is perfect for adventure seekers, climbers, skiers, sports enthusiasts, hunters, international travelers, humanitarian efforts, expeditions and more.

Ripcord travel protection is now available for ALL nationalities, and travel is covered on motorcycles of all sizes!


 

What others say about HU...

"This site is the BIBLE for international bike travelers." Greg, Australia

"Thank you! The web site, The travels, The insight, The inspiration, Everything, just thanks." Colin, UK

"My friend and I are planning a trip from Singapore to England... We found (the HU) site invaluable as an aid to planning and have based a lot of our purchases (bikes, riding gear, etc.) on what we have learned from this site." Phil, Australia

"I for one always had an adventurous spirit, but you and Susan lit the fire for my trip and I'll be forever grateful for what you two do to inspire others to just do it." Brent, USA

"Your website is a mecca of valuable information and the (video) series is informative, entertaining, and inspiring!" Jennifer, Canada

"Your worldwide organisation and events are the Go To places to for all serious touring and aspiring touring bikers." Trevor, South Africa

"This is the answer to all my questions." Haydn, Australia

"Keep going the excellent work you are doing for Horizons Unlimited - I love it!" Thomas, Germany

Lots more comments here!



Five books by Graham Field!

Diaries of a compulsive traveller
by Graham Field
Book, eBook, Audiobook

"A compelling, honest, inspiring and entertaining writing style with a built-in feel-good factor" Get them NOW from the authors' website and Amazon.com, Amazon.ca, Amazon.co.uk.



Back Road Map Books and Backroad GPS Maps for all of Canada - a must have!

Your ad could be here, on EVERY page of the HUBB, or the whole website, or as many as you like!

New to Horizons Unlimited?

New to motorcycle travelling? New to the HU site? Confused? Too many options? It's really very simple - just 4 easy steps!

Horizons Unlimited was founded in 1997 by Grant and Susan Johnson following their journey around the world on a BMW R80G/S.

Susan and Grant Johnson Read more about Grant & Susan's story

Membership - help keep us going!

Horizons Unlimited is not a big multi-national company, just two people who love motorcycle travel and have grown what started as a hobby in 1997 into a full time job (usually 8-10 hours per day and 7 days a week) and a labour of love. To keep it going and a roof over our heads, we run events all over the world with the help of volunteers; we sell inspirational and informative DVDs; we have a few selected advertisers; and we make a small amount from memberships.

You don't have to be a Member to come to an HU meeting, access the website, or ask questions on the HUBB. What you get for your membership contribution is our sincere gratitude, good karma and knowing that you're helping to keep the motorcycle travel dream alive. Contributing Members and Gold Members do get additional features on the HUBB. Here's a list of all the Member benefits on the HUBB.



All times are GMT +1. The time now is 10:27.

Contact Us - Horizons Unlimited Motorcycle Travellers Website - Archive - Privacy Statement - Top