3 helicoptered from Muriwai

[faithrider]

Went up to Muriwai right up the far end of the bombing range, with a convoy of 4wds and 3 bikes and a quad yamaha 660 on Saturday. Saw some of you guys from here on the way out there. Anyways guy on the quad hit a jump and his quad landed ontop of him and his foot peg ripped through his leg, really bad gash, will put some pics up soon. Meat still left on his footpegs... He got airlifted out, until the helicopter broke down about 100m away and had to get another chopper out to fly them to hospital. Then on the way back from this the same quad and my mates KLX300 crashed into eachother, snapping my mates bike in half.(got some pics coming of this also) Didnt see it but im guessing must've been boosting it. Both were concussed, One with sore back and spine. mates helmet broken also. Without a helmet who knows what would have happened.
Anyways good news cat scans came up clear for both of them and will be out within the next few days. 1st guy on the quad in for 2 weeks with cleaning out wound and skin grafts etc.
Big thanks to everyone in 4wds who stopped and helped while we were waiting for chopper and putting onto stretcher etc, wouldve been a mission without u guys.
Also big thanks to the westpac chopper guys who do such a good job out those ways.
Apart from the 3 badly injured had an awesome ride on my bike for the short time I gotta ride for.
Wishing all the guys the best with recovery and hope to see you guys on a bike in the near future.

[Switch]

Crickey, Sounds like an eventfull guy. All the best for the riders recovering. Take care

[Buddy L]

Bugger sounds like you had a shocker of a day
When riding out their the sand can be deceiving, and always stay in a the group, to avoide collisions , all the beach in the world and it will still happen if your not carefull. Glad to here that they are alright

[Danger]

In the US when the guys are running in the big dunes they run a flag on there bikes like the old "chopper guard" that kids used to run on their push bikes. Used to think it was a bit naf but can see why they do it after hearing about incidents like this.

[cheese]

Saftey is never Naff.

[faithrider]

Apparently Don (quad), Richard (klx300) were riding the bikes back to the trailer together, Don was riding the quad back because of the accident Steve had before. The story is abit scetchy but looks like one of them drifted at high speed into the other. Both been moved to North Shore hospital, Richard recovering well, Don will be having operation on spine in next few days.
I can see how riding in bigger groups is the way to go as if anything does go wrong, the more to help out the better.
Some of these crashes are freak accidents and can't be avoided, I spose one of the risks we take when doing this sport.
Just gotta be aware of whats going on around us.
Will keep ya guys posted on news and will try and put some pics up later in the week.
Yeah I agree cheese. Just glad Richard was wearing his helmet.

[placidfemme]

Wow... sounds nasty... hopefully they all make swift and full recoverys...

[telliman]

do cell phones work up there, or is it back to bike park to make contact?

[faithrider]

In some places there is reception, we were lucky enough to be in one of those places. If you get up onto a dune you can get 1-2 bars of reception sometimes, other times nothing at all. Also depends on how good your phones aerial is too. My phone doesn't get great reception till I get to bike park. Other peoples phones are ok. I dont know which gets better reception there voadafone/telecom?
Speaking for myself I hardly ever take my phone with me when riding. Now that might change.

[sAsLEX]

do cell phones work up there, or is it back to bike park to make contact?

Vodaphones dont tend to, nor do newer Telecoms

But the brick I have with the external aerial does, though not behind the dunes so you need to get to the top in some places

[jrandom]

the brick I have with the external aerial does, though not behind the dunes so you need to get to the top in some places

I've had decent reception with my Telecom phone across the harbour mouth by the Pouto lighthouse (which was good, because we were stuck there with a dead Range Rover and it was getting dark) but generally around the north end of the Muriwai side on the beach and back amongst the dunes it's difficult to pick up a signal unless you're atop a ridge.

I had a wee spill and got concussed up at the bombing range once. Wasn't much fun getting back down the beach. The guys who were injured on the weekend have my sympathy.