GreerADV motorcycle accident

[ColinADV]

Hello,
My Name is Colin Galbraith and I am a friend of Andrew Greer's, GreerADV, from the United States. This past tuesday, 26/2/08, Andrew was involved in an accident while riding his bike.
Andrew is currently at the Waikato hospital in Hamilton. He is in good condition except for his lower right leg, which has suffered a severe injury.
I would like to ask in help for two ways, one if you are in the area and would like to visit him, he would love some company.
Secondly, I will be staying in the area and looking after him until his parents arrive, which will hopefully be by the end of next week. If anyone could offer me a place to sleep for a few days i would greatly appreciate it. I am registered on help exchange and am more than happy to offer work in exchange for a couch, tent site, spot on the floor, etc.
I have limited access to internet but i will check back whenever i can for people who would like more information.
thanks a lot and please keep Andrew in your thoughts,
cheers

Colin Galbraith

[ColinADV]

Hello,
My Name is Colin Galbraith and I am a friend of Andrew Greer's, GreerADV, from the United States. This past tuesday, 26/2/08, Andrew was involved in an accident while riding his bike.
Andrew is currently at the Waikato hospital in Hamilton. He is in good condition except for his lower right leg, which has suffered a severe injury.
I would like to ask in help for two ways, one if you are in the area and would like to visit him, he would love some company.
Secondly, I will be staying in the area and looking after him until his parents arrive, which will hopefully be by the end of next week. If anyone could offer me a place to sleep for a few days i would greatly appreciate it. I am registered on help exchange and am more than happy to offer work in exchange for a couch, tent site, spot on the floor, etc.
I have limited access to internet but i will check back whenever i can for people who would like more information.
thanks a lot and please keep Andrew in your thoughts,
cheers

Colin Galbraith

[Mental Trousers]

If anybody can help out please pm me for Colin's cell phone number.

[fireball]

i can offer my couch but i am in west auckland prob not much help.
but if you get stuck its there for you mate.

[nigelp]

Man that does suck, he rode through the Molesworth and Rainbow Roads on Waitangi day with a group of us. Hope he mends up!!! :doctor:

Sorry cant help with the accomodation thing as based down south.

[clint640]

Bugger!

I'll come over & visit. Looks like the visiting hrs are 11am - 8pm. I could fit in tonight, tomorrow night or Monday night. I'll be in touch.

Cheers
Clint

[clint640]

Just talked to Colin, I'm going to cruise over tomorrow evening & say G'day, probably around 6pm. I'll take my laptop with mobile internet in case Andrew wants to send a few emails & check in with friends on the net.

Cheers
Clint

[tri boy]

Will see how I can help.
When you get a chance Colin, PM me.

[tri boy]

Been in touch with Colin. Should be able to sort accom for him.
Will let the Ham crew have the details on hospital ward/visit hours later.:niceone:

[Mental Trousers]

Invited Colin for a beer and dinner with some of the locals at The Riv, 6pm Friday.

[Transalper]

Rode with the man in the Molesworth/Rainbow run, sorry to hear of the accident.
Am in the South Island so can't really help but I send my best wishes.
TransAlper.

[Mrs Busa Pete]

How is Andrews dad going to get on for accomadation when he arrives. Also if he needs a lift down to hamilton let me know and i'll pick him up from the airport and bring him down if needed.

Wendy

[tri boy]

So Colin has got a roof over his head at chez Tri Boy's.:yes:
His mate Andrew is in Orthopedic's, room 6 for those who wish to pop in with a magazine and a smile.
Andrew's parents will probably head to NZ in the next week or two and further details will unfold bit by bit.
Good news is Andrews in a good state except for a pretty mashed up lower leg.
I'm sure Colin will pass on details as they become available.
This is a good chance for KBers to show some Kiwi hospitality to a couple of young Americans far from home.:yes:

[JATZ]

Colin. Pass on regards from Mr & Miss JATZ, hope he heals up soon.
James & Ally

[paulj]

What a bugger ... please pass on our best wishes - Janis n Paul - and ask Andrew to Txt me when he's OK to do so - I'll have a chat by phone.

I guess the XT is mangled up a bit?

[slowpoke]

Ouch! I've never met the guy but I can only imagine how it must feel to be mightily banged up in a country a hell of a long way from 'home'. Big 'ups' to anyone able to help out in any way. Good luck for a full recovery mate.

[Crisis management]

This is a good chance for KBers to show some Kiwi hospitality to a couple of young Americans far from home.:yes:

Wish Andrew well for me triboy, and let me know if there is anything that needs doing from up here.

Iain

[ColinADV]

Hey Everyone,
first thank you all so much for the support. Both Andrew and I really appreciate it. I have been offered a place to stay which really takes a load off my mind. The idea of moving between tent sites every day was a bit unnerving.
Andrew is doing well. He has had two surgeries so far on his leg and is scheduled for a third one this weekend. The good and bad news is he doesn't have a scratch anywhere else on his body other than the lower part of his right leg which is pretty severely damaged. It sounds like the doctors have come up with a treatment plan though.
Andrew's parents will probably being flying into Auckland on thursday and I will be able to pick them up from the airport. It sounds like Andrew will be in hospital for 2-3 months so they will be looking for somewhere to live for the while. They are really just looking for a room with kitchen and bathroom access that isn't too expensive. thanks again everyone
and i will post more updates as they come
cheers

[steveb64]

At least he's in a pretty good hospital - a mate of mine had a similar injury (tib, fib AND femur), some years back - and they did a really good job on getting it all to glue back together again!

Hope it all goes as well for Andrew!

[clint640]

Invited Colin for a beer and dinner with some of the locals at The Riv, 6pm Friday.

I'll call in for a beer & a bite after I've visited Andrew, still on track to be over there 6ish.

Cheers
Clint

[Nasty]

Thanks for the update ... is great to hear that they have a treatment plan and that his mum and dad are coming ... you are doing a hard but great job Colin.

[Zukin]

I'll call in for a beer & a bite after I've visited Andrew, still on track to be over there 6ish.

Cheers
Clint

Wish him all the best from everyone here in the Bay

Cheers Scott

[sandmart]

Hi ispoke to Andrew a couple of time on the Molesworth/Rainbow run, nice fellow, so could you please give him my best and get well as soon as possible and im sure that goes for everyone here in Christchurch and around who has meet him and not seen this thread yet. All the best Martin.

[greerADV]

Hi, it's Andrew here. Just wanted to thank everyone for all the support you've sent over the internet. And for the support you've given Colin and myself in person. I'm using Clint's computer at the moment to write this as he dropped in this evening. Colin also has a place to stay with Brent and I can't thank either of them enough for that.

So far the doctors are happy with how my leg is doing. At first there was fear of a lack of circulation and possibly having to lose the leg. But the circulation has improved and with the next two surgeries over the next few days they hope to close up the wound (hope this isn't too graphic for anyone!)

But, as Colin said, my parents are on their way and it looks as though I'll be here for quite a while. If any of you would like to come by and chat about bikes or anything else under the sun, I'd be happy to have you.

Thanks again for all your support!

Cheers
Andrew

[Frodo]

Sh*t! Hope that you get better soon. What happened?

[Lindy]

hello Colin

I don't bike but logged in to pass on a message to Andrew.
What were you thinking??? Dum Ass. How did it happen? Hamish and I just found out today that you had an accident and I would like to wish you well. Get better soon.
I would like to hear when you are out of hospital, and how it all goes. Whats the address for where you are?
I take it you are not back for Warbirds!!!

Lindy
ps colin I worked with Andrew in Wanaka

[_Shrek_]

hell Andrew there are better ways of staying in NZ & less "painful" sorry we can't be of much help, but the norfy KB crew will take good care ofya & Colin so get well soon mate

all the best
Keith & kathy

[clint640]

as above, I called in on Friday, dropped off a few books & had a yarn. Andrew is a good guy to talk to, so If you live around Hamilton, or are passing through, get in contact & call in for a visit.

Despite all the needles, hoses & ironmongery sticking out of him, Andrew is in quite good spirits, the view out over Hamilton & the river is pretty good:

Cheers
Clint

[ColinADV]

hey everyone
Andrew has been through a couple more surgeries but is doing well. It looks like he will be through the worst of it fairly soon.
For anyone who may want to visit Andrew has been moved to ward 7 room 5.
cheers

colin

[ColinADV]

Andrew's parents have successfully arrived without a hitch in Hamilton. They were a bit tired and wore out but happy to see Andrew. Seeing his parents has also raised Andrew's spirits.
His operations are coming along, he has just had a skin graft to cover the hole in his leg. The leg is a nice healthy color, albeit a bit swollen.
cheers

Colin

[Devil]

Good to hear. :yes:

[Mrs Busa Pete]

Andrew's parents have successfully arrived without a hitch in Hamilton. They were a bit tired and wore out but happy to see Andrew. Seeing his parents has also raised Andrew's spirits.
His operations are coming along, he has just had a skin graft to cover the hole in his leg. The leg is a nice healthy color, albeit a bit swollen.
cheers

Colin


Hay that is great news i hope his parents are starting to feel a little better from the flights.

On another note there always a spare bed here should either yourself or Andrew and his parents want or need it.

[ColinADV]

Hey everyone
I just want to give a big thanks to the help and support everyone on the forum gave. It was an amazing response. Andrew's healing is going well and his parents are settling in, which means its about time for this ol boy to be hittin the road again.
Thanks to triboy for giving me a place to stay the past couple weeks, this was an extraordinary amount of help to me. Thanks to crisis management for giving me a a place to stay the night in auckland when I went to get andrew's parents, and to busta pete for also offering a spare bed that night. And thanks to mental trousers for lining up a night out for a few beers my first friday into town. Further thanks to clint and everyone else who has visited andrew and kept him in your thoughts.
I greatly appreciate everything you have all done and you've shown me a great side of kiwi hospitality
cheers

colin

[tri boy]

Enjoy the rest of your holiday Colin.
Your commitment to your injured friend is a shining example of the TRUE meaning of friendship.:niceone:
Now go charm the pants off those backpacker girlies.:devil2:

[Mrs Busa Pete]

Hey everyone
I just want to give a big thanks to the help and support everyone on the forum gave. It was an amazing response. Andrew's healing is going well and his parents are settling in, which means its about time for this ol boy to be hittin the road again.
Thanks to triboy for giving me a place to stay the past couple weeks, this was an extraordinary amount of help to me. Thanks to crisis management for giving me a a place to stay the night in auckland when I went to get andrew's parents, and to busta pete for also offering a spare bed that night. And thanks to mental trousers for lining up a night out for a few beers my first friday into town. Further thanks to clint and everyone else who has visited andrew and kept him in your thoughts.
I greatly appreciate everything you have all done and you've shown me a great side of kiwi hospitality
cheers

colin


Hay Colin no problem if you need a bed anytime just give us a yell there will allways be one avaliable here. Enjoy the rest of your trip.

[greerADV]

My mate Colin said it best in his message above, but I just wanted to pass along my sincere thanks to everyone that has helped Colin and myself out. Tri Boy has not only put Colin up for over two weeks, but also picked up my bike (or what's left of it), and picked up my phone from the police station so Colin could bring it to me at the hospital. I can't thank him enough for all he has done for Colin and myself. Also want to thank Crisis Management for putting up Colin for the night when he picked my parents up from the airport, and a big thanks to Clint for letting me borrow his wireless internet for the week. Having internet access has given me the chance to let friends and family at home know I'm not dead and that I'm getting great care and support.

Every day there is a little improvement with my leg. Right now I am waiting on skin grafts to heal and more skin grafts to be put on and heal next week. Once all the grafts are healed, I'm told some bone grafts will be needed to add to the metal rod that is now my Tibia. After that, there may also be a knee reconstruction and of course, a long period of physio. It's going to be a long road, but every time I get dwell on how long it will take, I just wiggle my toes and remember how close I was to losing my leg. The docs don't let me forget that either!

The care here has been incredible and the nurses and doctors just always seem to be 100% focused on getting me fixed up. I'm also so lucky to have such incredible parents that were willing to come all this way to help me out and keep me company. They are retired and plan on being here for the long haul. On that note, if anyone knows of a place they could rent, preferably within walking distance to the hospital, please PM me. They would like to move out of the hospital accommodation and into an apartment or house.

Again, thank you to everyone that has helped Colin and myself out and definitely a huge thanks again to Tri Boy for everything he has done. I'll try to keep everyone updated with the progress over the coming weeks and months. Take care and safe riding!

Andrew

[tri boy]

Hang in there Andrew. I will get off my arse, and hopefully pop up Sunday (any KBers interested in a visit?).
Hopefully the accom situation with your parents can get sorted out soon. I'm not much help there sorry.
Stay positive, and keep posting.;)

[Stromble]

Take care Andrew.. glad to hear things arent too serious.. hope they fix you up good and ready for your next adventure

[JATZ]

Bloody hell Andrew, must have been a hell of an acccident, glad to hear things are getting better for you :woohoo:If you decide to fix ya bike I have a spare chain here that should fit :msn-wink: All the best, James & Ally

[tri boy]

With Andrews gained permission, I will post some pics of the Dominator, and repeat some comments made from various people linked to the accident.

Surgeons to Andrew, (most days). "Your VERY lucky still to have a leg".

Tow truck driver to me. "There was blood everywhere".

Andrew to me. "Yeah, I lost about 7 units of blood"!!!!

Have a good look at the photo's. Note the top triple clamp, and the bash plate/engine tyre marks.
Andrew is one lucky chap to still have both trotters.:mellow:

[clint640]

Have a good look at the photo's. Note the top triple clamp, and the bash plate/engine tyre marks.


Nah, she'll be sweet mate, that'll buff right out...:laugh: :pinch:

Good to see you again last night Andrew, it's great that everything is starting to stick back together OK.

ATTN HAMTOWN CREW: Andrew has got a laptop now so take the man your DVDs! he's going to be in the hospital for a good few weeks yet & would love to borrow some quality viewing material.

Cheers
Clint

[Crisis management]

Good to hear your feeling a bit better Andrew, you're lucky to have a friend like Colin, he's certainly a friend worth hanging on to!
Let me know if your parents / yourself or Colin are up in Auckland, you're all welcome to stay for a while.

If I'm ever down that way I'll drop in and say Hi, look after yourself in the meantime.

Iain

[tri boy]

Went for a ride out towards Kawhia today, and on my return I stopped at the crash scene. Now, without reading too much into the coppas marks (in yellow), I kind of get the feeling that Andrew did nothing wrong.
He was travelling east, as defined by the light blue arrow.
The pink circle seems to define a contact point, and the crimson is I assume both m/cycle wheels at rest.
The light green is definitely the cage direction.

I shall comment no more.:mellow:

[tri boy]

Guys, I just thought it was worth a bump to keep Andrew in peoples minds.
He's still in hospital in Hamilton, and anyone who has spent 7+ weeks in a hospital bed will know that it wears you down a bit.
So any good wishes that get posted will bound to be appreciated.
He still has about 8-10weeks to go apparently, until his leg might be stable enough for a flight back to the US.
His mum and dad are still with him, and he access to his friends/family via the web.
This was a nasty tibia injury, and he has been really strong with all the poking and prodding going on, but any words of support will help.
(Cheer's to Clint640, and others who drop in when they can).

[deanohit]

Hey Triboy, gonna be in Hamihole for a day this weekend, might stop by with some mags for Andy and see how he's doing if you can pm me his room no.

[Livvy]

Well fast healing to him and fingers crossed for no compliactions. He sounds like a tough bugger and that didn't deserve it at all (friggin' cages). Thoughts with ya, Andrew.

[tri boy]

Hey Triboy, gonna be in Hamihole for a day this weekend, might stop by with some mags for Andy and see how he's doing if you can pm me his room no.

Andrew is in room 5, ward 7, of the "Menzies" building.

[deanohit]

Andrew is in room 5, ward 7, of the "Menzies" building.
Cheers mate! :niceone:

[JATZ]

I was wondering how he was getting on, must be gettin sick of hospital food by now. I only spent a day in hospital once and it seemed to take about a week.

[JATZ]

You still there Andrew? I'm coming to Auckland, end of the month(not by choice)and, if your still in hospital, and I got time, I may call in.

[Meekey_Mouse]

Ouch! Haven't seen this thread before now... Those are some pretty gut wrenching photo's! Glad to hear you're still OK Andrew :) Hope the healing process is going well so far and thoughts are going out to you!

If you or any one traveling to/from Htown needs a place to stay in Taupo (I know they are rather close, but ya never know) or even if it's just for a break, send me a PM :)

[tri boy]

You still there Andrew? I'm coming to Auckland, end of the month(not by choice)and, if your still in hospital, and I got time, I may call in.

Andrew is still in rm5, ward 7 Hamilton Base.
I'm going up there most weeks, so will remind him to keep an eye on this thread.
Jatz, PM me if you can call in, and I'll meet up with you there.:yes:
Andrew is in good spirits still, but has had enough of hospital, and just wants to get home to recoup.
Any KBer's heading through Ham, and have a hour or two up their sleeve might want to pop in.:sunny:

[tri boy]

Bump.
Bit of an update on Andrew. He is getting a bit of a break from hospital lately. His mum n dad are house sitting for a hospital staff member, and Andrew has been able to stay there for a week or two, while grafts and scars settle down.
Both he and his dad visited me about ten days ago to drop some bike gear off, and view the Dominator for the first time since the accident.
Twas awsome to see him up on crutches and I'm sure his mum will feed him up well to put some weight back on him.
He is still linked to the hospital via day clinic's, and nobody knows yet when his leg will be ready to handle the rigours of a long haul flight home to the states. But just seeing him moving about, even just for short spells is so cool.
He still has bone grafts, and other op's to come, and he has such a positive outlook on things, that I'm sure he will reach his goals.
Keep up the good work mate.:sunny:

[JATZ]

Bump.
Bit of an update on Andrew. He is getting a bit of a break from hospital lately. His mum n dad are house sitting for a hospital staff member, and Andrew has been able to stay there for a week or two, while grafts and scars settle down.
Both he and his dad visited me about ten days ago to drop some bike gear off, and view the Dominator for the first time since the accident.
Twas awsome to see him up on crutches and I'm sure his mum will feed him up well to put some weight back on him.
He is still linked to the hospital via day clinic's, and nobody knows yet when his leg will be ready to handle the rigours of a long haul flight home to the states. But just seeing him moving about, even just for short spells is so cool.
He still has bone grafts, and other op's to come, and he has such a positive outlook on things, that I'm sure he will reach his goals.
Keep up the good work mate.:sunny:

Sounds like things are getting beter for ya Andrew, shame I couldn't make it to Hamilton last w/end to see you.
Keep up the good work mate

[tri boy]

Okay, time I closed this thread off.
Andrew is back in the states, recovering from his leg injuries. We might see him back in about a year for follow up surgery, or he might be able to get it done over there.
The insurance assessors have picked up his bike, and I assume it will appear at Turners auctions or similar.
The things that sticks out in my mind about this accident are:

People who cross the centre line are placing themselves and others at more risk than the measely fines give due notice to.

A persons life/career/future can change in an instant.

NEVER RIDE ON THE ROAD WEARING PLAIN DENIM JEANS.
I've seen the damage, and it ain't pretty.
See you round Andrew.