Biker Death - Squires Cafe

Had a really busy day at work last night, so decided to go to Squires for a smoke and a coke to unwind. Sun was shining, i was on the boil - was going good.

Anyway, rounded the corner just before the cafe, to be greeted by a closed road, an paramedic car, 3 T5 police cars, and 2 vans. I back tracked and found an alternative route to the cafe through south milford.Whilst on route, i was passed by an ambulance heading towards the scene of the crash. I arrived at the cafe about 10mins later. Parking the bike up, i walked over to the road side (the crash was under the bridge about 10 meters from the cafe), and had a quick look what was going on.

There was a biker, on a stretcher, in the back of said ambulance, and they were frantically working on, CPR etc... anyway, a crowd developed to hope for the biker, after about 15 mins, the most depressing sight of my life.... and one which has changed my entire outlook on bikes - they gave up CPR, placed a blanket over his head and closed the door of the ambulance. The police turned back towards their cars, looking dissapointed. Another victim on Yorkshire's roads. Another family getting that dreaded call. Another fellow biker not returning home this evening.

Ive seen friends end up in hospital after nasty crashs, and its had no real affect on my attitude. After seeing a biker die in front of me, on minute being alive, next minute a bleeding, shaking mess, then dead, im completely changed. Im questioning whether its worth me having the bike, is it worth the risks....

Any body else felt like this after seeing something similar? How did you get over it? Its really getting me down... any advise is welcome...

Im not going to point fingers at whose fault the crash was, thats not what i need help deciding... as i know the answer already. what i need help deciding, is do i keep the bike now my hearts not really in it. Is it just a phase - will it pass?

Originally Posted by getyerkneedown

... as i know the answer already. what i need help deciding, is do i keep the bike now my hearts not really in it. Is it just a phase - will it pass?

I take it no other vehicle was involved?

If so, then this fact should give weight to your decision. Ask yourself the question as to how you ride and do you take unnecessary risks, and give yourself an honest answer.

It's terrible seeing another human being shuffle of this mortal coil in an accident, even when you didn't actually see the impact, and you will be in something of a state of shock. Don't make the decision now. Leave it a few days.

There are a few coppers and paramedics lurking about on these Forums - they may offer a little advice on how they deal with such things. But remember, despite seeing such things routinely, they still ride their bikes.

This might not be quite the right time to say this, but I think the Poll unnecessary as only you can answer your question for you.

Life isn't about 'What if...' Life is for living & if you ride a bike, you do it because it gives you pleasure - Lets face it, none of us need to ride bike, we do it because we want to... This includes all the risks involved

I've got a wife & two young children (8 yrs & 7 yrs,) do I want to leave my wife husbandless or my kids fatherless Of course not... But let's face it, you could get run over by a proverbial bus tomorrow (so to speak) so enjoy life, enjoy what you do until you don't enjoy it anymore

I have seen autopsy's, I've seen a couple of people who have committed suicide & that isn't nice, but that has underlined to me just how precious life is & just how important it is to live life to the full. It is my belief that you only get one innings & this is it, it isn't a dress rehersal - nobody knows what's around the corner...

[Sid Squid]

Might I gently suggest a change to your poll question?

How about: Is living worth the associated risks?

There is no doubt that you are sooner or later going to give up breathing, (later I hope, much later), it isn't negotiable, it's the only certainty of your life, for my part I hope to do as much living as is humanly possible before that happens, there is a chance that you could turn your toes up doing just about every conceivable activity you can imagine, biking isn't any different.

This is Patch

First off let me say i am really sorry that you saw this and condolences go out to the family of the guy/gal

This kind of experience affects us all when we are subjected to it. Many years ago i found myself acting as part of the "coroners office" to the british forces when I was in the SIB. amongst these duties I had to investigate many fatal accidents and sudden deaths, including witnessing the post mortems at the Military Hospital Munster.

I was affected by the exposure at the time and to a certain degree can remember every death I ever attended or investigated (I am talking a lot in the space of two years but I know many have had to go to more).

Eventually I came to the opinion that we are all given a life and that each life has a different time duration, some are long some are short and some don't even get passed the cot (I investigated 13 cot deaths in 2 years). What is important is not how long your life is but what you do with it whilst you have the chance and the legacy you leave behind. We can not all be famous but we can all make the difference to someone while we have the choice.

As to whether biking is worth it? Dunno its what I choose to do. I have lost too many friends who have been killed on their bikes but have also lost biking friends who died otherwise, specifically; a great buddy of mine Tim Hicks who was a soldier and biker serving in NI and who was killed in the M6 plane crash, another called Nigel Sims an airman and great biker who gave up biking and bought a Capri, it was a while ago, and died in it. Both these two are remembered as they made a positive impact on my life and their lives though short were important.

We on the site here suffered the loss of VTwin, and our founder Kevin last year. I don't think any one can underestimate the positive effect of both these guys.

It is always a searching moment when we are confronted with death but we have no right to expect a long life and no duty to spend our lives trying to achieve age. The important thing is what you will be remembered for and by whom.

I wish you well in your coming to terms with this and hope that you will use the experience as an opportunity to understand your life purpose.

[splke]

condolences to the bikers family

Obviously a harrowing experience for you, not nice at all.

I think a year ago i would have had a different view on this but.....
I was diagnosed with a form of lung cancer in December last year, and after having half a lung removed and the subsequent 3 month recovery and the time bomb to my next check up !! I know that i would rather die doing something i love, than lying in a hospital bed not knowing when, or if i would see my children again.
Live for today as you never know what will happen tomorrow.

thats what confuses me most - the attitudes expressed here are all attitudes and beliefs i held strongly up until about 5.15 last night... now im not so sure about the "take risks and live" philosophy.

the crash wasnt the bikers fault.. a car gave up his right of way on the far side of a brow of a hill to let another car coming the other way through, although there was no need for him to do so as both would fit through. the biker was going about45-50 in a 60 zone and had no place to go but into these cars.

Some might argue that old line of "only ride as fast as the distance you can safely see to be clear..." etc... but even one of the police officers said it was a damned stupid thing for the car driver to do. A thread on here has already discussed priorities.

All very sad even more so if the rider wasn't at fault.
Is biking worth all the associated risks my answer was yes doing what you want is worth it you never know whats going to happen tomorrow, you just have to play as safely as you can.

Originally Posted by getyerkneedown

thats what confuses me most - the attitudes expressed here are all attitudes and beliefs i held strongly up until about 5.15 last night... now im not so sure about the "take risks and live" philosophy.

Sounds like you've already made your mind up

As many of you know I got rid of my brand new SV 3 months ago. I gave a couple of reasons , but the main one remains the inherent risk was too high for ME.

I have taken almost 28 years to find a hobby I really love, and biking is it. It was such a catch 22, and I started thinking more anout the risks as the initial thrill of having a bike wore off. My conclusion is that I have had many wonderful experiences during my lifetime , and risking all of them just to ride a bike wasn't worth it. Sure I may ride for 20 years and never have a bad accident, but the risks are very high.

I feel very comfortable with my situation now that I have had a bike. Its something I really had to experience, but I feel very privileged to have had 3 accident free years on 2 wheels. I have had my biking experience, and am moving on to finding other things that interest me. The new Mazda RX8 being one of them!

I would hate it having a ride and then thinking about an accident or safety, it spoils the ride, but it is a reality. My decision was thus to pack it in. Biking is wonderful and many riders are probably not as pessimistic or dont worry as much as me, and are very comfortable with their situation. I was unable to feel comfortable with the risks any more, so the entire experience was becoming less enjoyable.

Being a biker feels special, with the comeraderie, but you cant ignore your own person if you are uncomfortable with the risks.

I hope everyone has a great summer riding, and I'm glad I'm still made to feel welcome on the forum although I no longer ride.

I hope everyone understands I this is only what I feel is right for me, and appreciate to hear from the other side of the fence.

Dont forget MotoGP on Sunday