I Am Sure This Topic Is An Issue...

Hey guys,

I don't even know where to begin. I have never written anything like this... I was hoping I never would. My best bud went down tonight. Me, Scott (The victim), and two other friends were riding back towards our home town. We were about 20 km south of home when Scott fell off his bike. Well, I suppose I should elaborate that, he hit a deer. Yes, a damn deer! He also ripped that deer into two pieces. I was in the lead, then Scott, then my two friends. They saw it all happen. The deer came out of a patch of trees and he had no time to react. We are unaware of his speed, but it was over the speed limit. My friends said they saw his bike flip about 10-15 feet in the air. Then saw bits of everything fly around. One of my friends saw a black object fly into the sky, he said he was praying it was not his helmet coming off. The other friend, when coming to stop, saw a shoe, then a chunk of meat. We learned that it was from the deer. From my perspective... I had rode along. Earlier I knew Scott was there because I saw his headlight (On high beam) in my rear view mirror. So I carried on blocking the light with my elbow. I check for everyone behind me again, and the lights were quite faint. Only saw two... I slowed down, they never caught up. So I figured they had bike problems, happens often with their older bikes. So I turned around and caught up with them. Yup, there they were, parked along side the road. I parked on the right shoulder (Canada road rules here) behind one of my friends bike. Over across the road was the other friends bike. Now keep in mind, it was about 9:00 when this all happened so the lighting was terrible. The sun was setting so it didn't light up anything, but it was not dark enough for headlights to be effective. So I assumed I couldn't see Scott's all black bike. I walked over to them and realized what had happened. Scott was lying on the side of the highway with a deer's ass and hind legs 5 inches from his face. I was waiting for the part where I wake up. It didn't even cross my mind that he could have died. He had no gear on... I guess I haven't stressed enough to these guys they need more gear. Scott was wearing a nylon 'track jacket', some pants (Not jeans), gloves, and his helmet. When I saw him cloeser up I immidiately noticed the white scratches on his black helmet. His visor was hanging on by one side and the bike was no where to be seen. My friend was already on his cell phone calling 911. (Not to mention he was talking to a complete twit) At 9:06 the call for the ambulance was made. I then hopped on my bike and rode to the nearest farm to get more help. The dude didn't have a vehicle to come to us so I just took some blankets back to him. By the time I had returned, a couple in a car we knew had stopped. (Small town, you know nearly everyone) It seemed like the ambulance too forever to get there! I have never seen time move so slow. My mind was all over the place. (Still kind of is.) An example, a thought that popped into my head was that I was ****ed that his visor was wrecked because he just bought it a few days ago. We sat there talking to him. It was so scary. Telling your best friend to stay there and not move. He keeps repeating himself saying, "I think I'm OK. I don't think I broke anything." or "Where are we? Why were we riding out here? We answered these questions about 5 times. A police car arrived alittle after 9:30. Shortly after, at about 9:45, the ambulance finally arrived. We helped the paramedics get him onto a stretcher all tied up. We saw them cut off his clothes, load him up, and drive back to town. at about 10:10. By this time it was dark... We were in alittle shock at this time. Adrenaline running... Go figure? We rode back into town at about 60 km/h. On the way I saw a deer in the ditch only a few feet away from us... We arrived at the hospital where we waited for what seemed like ever. We saw his parents right away and they said that he was OK. They had x-rayed his body and there were no broken bones, no internal injuries, only scuffs and gouges. The nylon jacket he was wearing, had melted into his skin in places. I cannot he came away so lucky! I think I have covered enough... and I appreciate it if you have read this far. I know those single big ass paragraphs can be somewhat intimidating. If they take pictures I will post them up. I think I will be investing in some leather pants here this weekend. I am going away on vacation for a week in a few hours here. Before this whole ordeal, I was gonna miss my SV. But now, I think I will be OK. A vacation is what I need right now, get away from everything and relax. Falling off the jet ski doesn't give roadrash... I haven't slept tonight, it is odd to think this all happened only 10 hours ago. Oh yeah, Scott walked out of the hospital at 1:00 AM, 4 hours after he fell off. This sure opened my eyes. I've always had trouble reading these types of posts. I couldn't imagine being in this situation... I really wish I hadn't... I am doing OK now. I will read your comments for an hour or two here then it's time to hit the road. Ride safe guys,

Mitch

Geez Mitch... Shocking Thank goodness he's OK It could've been much, much worse

Hey Clive,

Yeah... I can't believe the outcome. Aamzing! We were all so relieved to see him smiling in the hospital bed... Oh man, monkey off your freakin' back, I tell yeah.

Mitch

omg... glad hes ok and as cloggsy said it could have been so much worse...

take care

lyn

A real horror story there Mitch, glad your friend's more or less okay, there is no substitute for good gear and no reason (I can think of) for never wearing it.

He's been rather lucky on this occasion, hopefully it'll teach a few lessons.

This sort of thing certainly does shock you, but I'm sure you'll get your head round it and understand that it's another part of biking you haven't seen before. It's not all fun out there on the road and these sober moments put things into perspective.


.

Hey,

I am signing off. ~10 hour drive to Montana for my well needed holiday. I will try and jump on a computer down there to catch up on the comments. His father stopped by as we were packing up, he's doing good this morning. Sleeping well. I am so pleased to hear such things. See you all soon,

Mitch

your mate was very lucky, best wishes.

[sv4me]

I have to hold my hands up and admit my 1st thoughts were I hoped you took the damn deer home and eat him. Make the best out of a really bad situation. Sorry

Anyway glad to hear your mates ok,that is one lucky escape. As I was reading down I couldnt guess how he'd come out of it,was hoping it wasnt going to be a sad ending. Was both relieved and amazed that he came out unharmed

Hope it doesnt put him off biking

Originally Posted by jonboy

He's been rather lucky on this occasion, hopefully it'll teach a few lessons.

Sorry Jonboy but I cant see how any gear is going to help you if you hit an object like that at high speed. And surely the fact that hes come out unscathed whilst not wearing much in the way of protection shows that luck as much as protective gear will save you. Either way,always wear your ferking leathers kids

They always teach you for your test,"expect the unexpected"

Nowhere did they mention anything about a friggin deer being in the middle of the road! Only thing you can take from this is slow down through wooded areas where Bambi frequents. A lot of biking roads in this country seem to have suicidal sheep at the side of the road wanting a closer look at your bike

Originally Posted by sv4me

Sorry Jonboy but I cant see how any gear is going to help you if you hit an object like that at high speed. And surely the fact that hes come out unscathed whilst not wearing much in the way of protection shows that luck as much as protective gear will save you. Either way,always wear your ferking leathers kids

They always teach you for your test,"expect the unexpected"

Nowhere did they mention anything about a friggin deer being in the middle of the road! Only thing you can take from this is slow down through wooded areas where Bambi frequents. A lot of biking roads in this country seem to have suicidal sheep at the side of the road wanting a closer look at your bike

Id re-read the post by Mitch. I think it was the bit where he said

The nylon jacket he was wearing, had melted into his skin in places.

that would indicate that isnt going to be pleasant to sort out and wouldnt have happened with proper gear.

as an expert crasher I cant recommend good gear enough. I look at my goretex jeans/jacket and seen how much the slides have damaged them and that wouldve been my skin otherwise. I know it wont help in some situations but in others it will.

oh and its not just sheep. you think sheep are suicidal at least they tend to run away mainly... unlike pheasants that like to run TOWARD you

[sv4me]

Ah,yeah forgot that bit. That could be nasty

Leathers and gortex will obviously help if you slide down the road but in this case it was an impact into a stationary object. He was so lucky to come out as he did with no gear on but doubt leathers would have done much in similar cases. Still,ill be keeping my leathers thanks

Originally Posted by lynw

oh and its not just sheep. you think sheep are suicidal at least they tend to run away mainly... unlike pheasants that like to run TOWARD you

Tell me about it I had a mate on the back once and was asking why I **** it and veered on the other side of the road to avoid one. He doesnt drive surprisingly! Ive seen them little buggers write off cars so I dont fancy my chances much!!