Hard day yesterday

[Don]

First, you need to know that I put more than 20,000 miles a year on motorcycles. My temp range is from 7 degrees to 108 degrees. There isn't much to keep me off my bike when I don't have to take someone with me or carry something I can't fit on the bike.

Yesterday, I was in the car with my wife and kids. We were two cars behind a white van on a two lane road that had a curve to the left. As the van went around the curve a motorcyclist came from the opposite direction and hit the van head on. Right in front of us. There was a church on our right and I immedaitely pulled into the lot and my wife called 911 as I ran to the scene. When I got there someone was already with the motorcyclist laying in the road. I went to the bike to make sure it was secure and not still running or going to catch fire.

Then I turned to the cyclist. Not since I was a cop in the 1980's (and even then) had I seen a human body with so much trauma. The man was still alive, but in shock. His helmet had been knocked off and I won't go into describing the injuries, as it was pretty gruesome. There was a woman on scene who claimed to be a nurse. She also said she could do nothing and just stood there. I walked back up to my wife who was on the phone with 911. I told her to tell them to start a medivac chopper. She told them that then said hold on, I'll let you talk to someone who was down there.

The 911 operator told me that she could not start a chopper on the word of a citizen. I then went into some detail about the injuries and told her that if they did not start a chopper now, he may not make it. She asked if I had medical training, which I had to say no. She then told me that there was another call from the scene and that I could hang up. I was really frustrated.

My wife, started towards the scene and I stopped her. I knew that the scene would traumatize her, because it was really bad. I looked down the street and there were people with him. Traffic was being directed by other citizens and I knew there was nothing more I could do. My two kids in the back of the car had witnessed the accident, but had not seen the aftermath. I told my wife that it would be best if we took our children home and got them out of there. No need for them to see that.

The news on the motorcyclist was not good. http://www2.timesdispatch.com/news/2...le-ar-1195108/

Sometimes we work through these things by talking about them. This morning, like every other morning, I jumped on my motorcycle and went to work. I know my wife is not happy about it, but it is who I am. Thanks for the cheap therapy. Just needed to put it all down.

My prayers are with Richard's family.

[GoFride]

Wow...this just gave me chills. It must be running through your mind over and over. I'm glad you can share it - hope that helps.

[dirdad]

First I want to say R.I.P.

It kills me hearing these stories and i'm sure it hurts my wife even more everyday I ride mine. People don't realize that once you ride a bike its hard to stop even if there always is that chance of something bad happening.
Ride Safe!

[llovelace]

It's hard whenever I come across an accident involving a cyclist.

I ride myself and have had some very close calls, but like you said it is who we are, my condolences to his family also.

[pinkeye714]

Wow, that makes me sad. R.I.P =[

I just bought a scooter and still worried about driving yet i love scootering. with you on this.

[Quickone4u]

Sorry to hear you had to witness such a sad event Prayers fo out to all those involved including you an your family. I love to ride both on the street and roadrace myself and as you and others have mentioned, it's not a love that's just given up. I don't know what I would do if I couldn't ride.