Heavily concussed biker airlifted to Palmerston North hospital

[Hitcher]

Yes, it was “one of ours”. It was Mrs H. Heavily concussed with no memory at all of either the accident or of the half hour of riding that preceded it, or of the following hours (until about 10 am this morning) which included an ambulance ride part way to Dannevirke and a helicopter ride from the Weber/Wimbledon corner to A&E at Palmerston North.

Jane is now stiff and sore (high-sided on a right-hand corner) with a very sore neck, bruised left shoulder and left forearm, and a bit of a graze on her left hip. She is mobile and returning to normal mentally.

The accident happened at about 3:45pm yesterday almost exactly halfway between Ti-tree Point and Wimbledon on Route 52. We were taking the “back road” to Napier.

It was sunny, hot (about 23 degrees) and windy. We had not been hurrying, due to a combination of road works from last summer’s floods, a tight and winding and for the past 15 or so km unfamiliar road.

I was leading and had stopped, waiting for Jane to catch up. After about a minute I gave her a hoy on the intercom (yes, they were working famously well yesterday) and, when she didn’t reply, I turned back thinking she may have inadvertently taken the Franklin Road turnoff to the left a bit further back up the road.

About 500m later I rounded a corner to see first a Marauder on its side facing back from whence it had come and, in the grass on the roadside about 4m further on, Jane sitting up taking off her helmet.

I parked my bike and ran back to Jane, turning off the ignition on the Marauder, noting that its right-hand side was in very bad shape.

After getting Jane comfortable I then stood the Marauder up and pushed it up the hill off the road and parked it alongside the ST. Left-hand bar bent right back; two massive dents in the LHS of the tank; screen trashed; speedo trashed; headlight trashed; LHS peg bent way back; Ventura tail rack bent way forward; Rjays tailbag a bit roughed up.

About five minutes later I flagged down the first passing motorist who took off to the nearest phone (no cellphone reception for miles) and rang for an ambulance and the Police. The Police decided against the 45-minute ride from Dannevirke but the ambulance made the trip, arriving almost exactly an hour after Jane’s off. She had been conscious but obviously dazed and rambling for all of this time, with no idea of where she was or how she had come to get there.

I helped the ambulance officer load Jane into his vehicle. At which point she turned battleship grey and nearly lost consciousness. After stabilising her, the officer radioed for a chopper. An hour later she was airlifted from the island in the intersection of the Weber/Wimbledon road to Palmerston A&E. She probably arrived there about 6:00pm last night. I arrived there by bike at about 8:00pm after having made arrangements to get the Marauder off the road, which the manager of the Titoki Forest arranged with the help of a passing Dannevirke couple on a green Harley (I’ve forgotten their names, but they were terrific).

So we’re now back home and I’ve got Jane tucked up in bed and I am now starting to unwind (I think). A lot has happened in the past 24 hours.

Lessons: Be careful out there. Even really good riders (as Mrs H is) can get it wrong, and “sporadic, lumpy gravity” is pretty unforgiving.
Wear good gear. Broken bones can be relatively easily mended. It’s much harder and, at times impossible, to put back lost skin and flesh.
The biker community is just fabulous. The couple who helped arrange stowage for the Marauder; John the ambo officer is a biker; as were two of the nurses and at least one of the Docs at Palmerston North A&E.
Other people are pretty fab too. The guy who fetched the ambulance, the forest manager, the couple with the Holden and the trailer and, lastly but not leastly, my folks who drove up from Waikanae and provided transportation and feeding services resulting in Jane now being safely ensconced at home.

Sign the petition to stop the Central North Island rescue helicopter being taken away (another story here).

We’re a both bit dazed tonight in the Hitcher household but one of us is very much more hurt than the other.

[James Deuce]

Good grief!

Let me know if there is anything I can do.

Give my regards to Jane, and tell that we are pleased she is comfortable and at home.

Best regards

Jim, Heather, William, and Jacob

[onearmedbandit]

Wow, sorry to hear that bro! The most important thing is is that she is home where she is comfortable and with family. I hope her injuries are not too bad and that shes up and about (and back on a bike!) as soon as possible. Must have been heart-pounding material for you as well, I only hope I'm never in the position to see a close loved0one go done like that.

[Devil]

Eeeek. Get well soon Mrs H. Mr H, hope you can really relax now after the fright.

[Joni]

OMG Hitcher....

I am so sorry to hear that! I am glad she is alright... let her know we are all thinking of her.

Damn thats terrible! :( I hope she feels ok tomorrow, the next day always seems to be the worst...

All the best....

[jimbo600]

Holy shit mate what a shocker. Pass on my "get well soon" messages to Mrs H. Never know when you can be caught out eh.

[Rainbow Wizard]

Sorry to hear of the trauma and glad that the outcome has enough positives to leave you able to thank the spirits that watch over you and those that help. Only some of them are visible but just 'cause you can't see a star with the naked eye doesn't mean it aint there. Mrs H has been blessed with more time to contribute her personal magic to those she encounters, even to tell of her mishap could help someone else avoid a similar fate. Even if you're not of that persuasion a prayer or two could be in order.
Blessings, Geoff

[Sensei]

Bad news but great to hear Partner OK Bikes can be brought , people / loved one's not that easy to find . I would think you'll have to keep eye on her as you do when you have a concusion Hope for speedy recovery
SENSEI

[sels1]

Really sorry to hear that Hitcher, hope Mrs H is back to good health asap.
Please pass on our regards.

And look after yourself too - it wont have been easy for you - pour yourself a double!

[Firefight]

have just read you thread re Mrs Hitcher, glad shes okay, must have be gut wrencing for you, hope she makes a speedy recovery, point less offering help from up here, but my thoughts are with you both.

F/F

[dangerous]

God dont ya hat that gut feeling when you first relise whos down..... bloody sorry to here this Hitch, give Mrs H my best and heres hopeing she will be up and about soon as.
Keep us up to date aye.

[Skunk]

Really sorry to hear that. I know the road and it can catch you out.
Glad to hear she is OK. Have you got the bike home? Need a hand?

[toads]

Oh I'm so sorry to hear of the accident Hitcher, but glad to hear that Jane is ok, and all went as well as it could possibly go in the circumstances, am I correct in assuming it was a gravel road?, yes the helicopters are an absolute must in these regions aren't they, very stupid to think of getting rid of it. I hope the marauder is fixable, and you are both out there having adventures again soon

[gav]

Yikes, hope she makes a full recovery !

[wari]

SHittabluddybricka® ...

I WHole heartiddly agree with all previous posts and well-whishes senti-ments ...

TAke care there Mr and Mrs Hitcher ... :yeah: ..we're thinkin' about ya ... :spudwave:

PLease tell Mrs H that wari sends his re-guards ... and get well soons ...

[k14]

OMG, what is wrong with wari. A coherent and understandable post.

Sorry to hear about the crash hitcher. Hope Mrs Hitcher gets well soon and the bike is sorted out.

[Ms Piggy]

Oh my Lord! You've must have felt sick as you turned the corner and saw her bike. Warm fuzzies to both you and Jane. I am glad she is relatively ok and on the mend. :hug: :hug: One for each of you!

[spudchucka]

Sign the petition to stop the Central North Island rescue helicopter being taken away (another story here).
Please, everyone take note of that coment.

Best wishes to Mrs H for a speedy recovery.

[Motu]

Shee it mate,you are the last person I'd expect to post a rider down thread - hope your lady mend in no time and something can be made of the bike.

[jrandom]

Goodness me. General GWSs from the Random family, and very glad it was 'only' concussion (been there myself a couple of times - makes a good story afterwards, and hey, I always reckon there were probably a few brain cells going spare, anyway...)

Perhaps it's a Sign. Time for Mrs Hitcher to switch to a GSXR.

Keep us updated.

[wari]

Please, everyone take note of that coment.

Best wishes to Mrs H for a speedy recovery.

WHer's da petittion .. :spudwhat:

I'Ve heard nuttin' aboutit ... as you all know ... I DON'T norm-ally missa thing ... :spudwave:

:sunny:

[justsomeguy]

I've only met Hitcher once...... and he's a TOP BLOKE.

Sorry to hear about all this.

Please do keep us updated.

Best Wishes

Ujwal

[Skunk]

:Offtopic:
Sign the petition to stop the Central North Island rescue helicopter being taken away (another story here).I did a search but can't find it. Nor do I remember it. Anyone remember? PM me so the thread isn't lead astray.

[Joni]

Keep us updated.

Yes Hitcher please do!!!!!

[StoneChucker]

Shee it mate,you are the last person I'd expect to post a rider down thread - hope your lady mend in no time and something can be made of the bike.
This goes to show these things can happen to the BEST of us. Jane, I hope you're ok, and feel better soon. I also hope you haven't been put off riding, as you seem to enjoy it so much. Hitcher, I feel for you, on coming around that corner. I imagine you don't remember all the details after that either, it must have been a shocking, gut wrenching experience :(

Every time I read about these sorts of things, I realise that I must go get some decent gear. And for all the rest of you who don't have, go and do the same.

Best thoughts and wishes for you and Jane.

Regards,
David.

(Not that you'll be found short of offers, but yell if you need anything.)

[ajturbo]

look after her!!
hope your nervs are ok!!!

and you are not too stressed!!!


andy

[sAsLEX]

Sorry to hear about mrs H's off, glad to hear shes ok though, and where do we sign this petition??

[inlinefour]

Yes, it was “one of ours”. It was Mrs H. Heavily concussed with no memory at all of either the accident or of the half hour of riding that preceded it, or of the following hours (until about 10 am this morning) which included an ambulance ride part way to Dannevirke and a helicopter ride from the Weber/Wimbledon corner to A&E at Palmerston North.

Jane is now stiff and sore (high-sided on a right-hand corner) with a very sore neck, bruised left shoulder and left forearm, and a bit of a graze on her left hip. She is mobile and returning to normal mentally.

The accident happened at about 3:45pm yesterday almost exactly halfway between Ti-tree Point and Wimbledon on Route 52. We were taking the “back road” to Napier.

It was sunny, hot (about 23 degrees) and windy. We had not been hurrying, due to a combination of road works from last summer’s floods, a tight and winding and for the past 15 or so km unfamiliar road.

I was leading and had stopped, waiting for Jane to catch up. After about a minute I gave her a hoy on the intercom (yes, they were working famously well yesterday) and, when she didn’t reply, I turned back thinking she may have inadvertently taken the Franklin Road turnoff to the left a bit further back up the road.

About 500m later I rounded a corner to see first a Marauder on its side facing back from whence it had come and, in the grass on the roadside about 4m further on, Jane sitting up taking off her helmet.

I parked my bike and ran back to Jane, turning off the ignition on the Marauder, noting that its right-hand side was in very bad shape.

After getting Jane comfortable I then stood the Marauder up and pushed it up the hill off the road and parked it alongside the ST. Left-hand bar bent right back; two massive dents in the LHS of the tank; screen trashed; speedo trashed; headlight trashed; LHS peg bent way back; Ventura tail rack bent way forward; Rjays tailbag a bit roughed up.

About five minutes later I flagged down the first passing motorist who took off to the nearest phone (no cellphone reception for miles) and rang for an ambulance and the Police. The Police decided against the 45-minute ride from Dannevirke but the ambulance made the trip, arriving almost exactly an hour after Jane’s off. She had been conscious but obviously dazed and rambling for all of this time, with no idea of where she was or how she had come to get there.

I helped the ambulance officer load Jane into his vehicle. At which point she turned battleship grey and nearly lost consciousness. After stabilising her, the officer radioed for a chopper. An hour later she was airlifted from the island in the intersection of the Weber/Wimbledon road to Palmerston A&E. She probably arrived there about 6:00pm last night. I arrived there by bike at about 8:00pm after having made arrangements to get the Marauder off the road, which the manager of the Titoki Forest arranged with the help of a passing Dannevirke couple on a green Harley (I’ve forgotten their names, but they were terrific).

So we’re now back home and I’ve got Jane tucked up in bed and I am now starting to unwind (I think). A lot has happened in the past 24 hours.

Lessons: Be careful out there. Even really good riders (as Mrs H is) can get it wrong, and “sporadic, lumpy gravity” is pretty unforgiving.
Wear good gear. Broken bones can be relatively easily mended. It’s much harder and, at times impossible, to put back lost skin and flesh.
The biker community is just fabulous. The couple who helped arrange stowage for the Marauder; John the ambo officer is a biker; as were two of the nurses and at least one of the Docs at Palmerston North A&E.
Other people are pretty fab too. The guy who fetched the ambulance, the forest manager, the couple with the Holden and the trailer and, lastly but not leastly, my folks who drove up from Waikanae and provided transportation and feeding services resulting in Jane now being safely ensconced at home.

Sign the petition to stop the Central North Island rescue helicopter being taken away (another story here).

We’re a both bit dazed tonight in the Hitcher household but one of us is very much more hurt than the other.

I agree, gear and bikes are easily replaced. Not the sort of chopper ride one would be enjoying either.

[2_SL0]

Sorry to hear of Mrs H off.But could of been alot worse. Hope all is better soon.

[moko]

Sorry to hear about your Wife`s accident mate,I hope a full recovery is sooner rather than later.
We`ve got an Air Ambulance here as well,funded totally by charity which is a frigging disgrace.If the Army want some kitted out with machine guns and rockets they get as many as they want,the hospital asked for 1,and it was basically "tough shit".
Dosnt matter how good you are,how careful,how experienced,biking`s dangerous and anyone can get caught out.Best wishes and hoping to hear pretty soon that she`s back on the road again.

[LB]

All the above wishes and offers of help from me and Hamish too Hitcher.

Keep us posted on her progress, love to her from us.

Anyone able to advise how to sign the petition for the rescue chopper?

PS: different vein, but very impressed with the motel/restaurant in Turangi - will post a separate thread.

[6Chris6]

Very sorry to hear this Hitcher.
I hope Mrs H makes a swift recovery.
Best wishes.
Chris

[What?]

Struth, the things some people will do to get out of doing the dishes!!! :Oops:

Hope Mrs H is fixed soon, Hitcher.

Damned right about the necessity of helicopters. NZ might be a small country, but sometimes things like help can be a long way away.

[Bonez]

Sorry to hear about Mrs H.
Wish her all the best from Mark and Connie.

[Al]

Not good news
I hope Mrs H recovers comfortably and that you also have a recovery period, it must have been a shock for you to see your Mrs in a situation like that.
Kudos to all the kind folk who helped.
You both get well soon

Al

[riffer]

Yup. What they all said...

All the best wishes for Jane's quick recovery. I'm hoping she's not put off but having met her I imagine she's not.

GWS.

[Her_C4]

Bluddy 'ell!! :shit:

Here is hoping for a quick recovery - if there is anything I can do to help out in any way - give me a yell.

[Juan]

Best wishes from over here... heal well...

[vifferman]

Sorry to hear about the crash, Mr H. I hope Jane heals fast with no further problems. I know you'll keep a close eye on her - that concussion can be an evil and pernicious thing, with mood swings, persistent headaches, etc.
Best wishes to you both from me and the vifferbabe.

[moko]

Damned right about the necessity of helicopters. NZ might be a small country, but sometimes things like help can be a long way away.

Might be small mate but there are plenty of places out in the sticks with some pretty awful roads.I met a guy a couple of years ago turned his tractor over in B.O.P. and was seriously hurt.Road to that place would be classed as a track over here,Chopper lifted him out to Rotorua,ambulance would have had a hell of a job getting to him let alone carrying a badly injured man back,poor guy would have taken a real battering and potentially wouldn`t have made it to the hospital being bounced around in the condition he was in.

[Quasievil]

Really sorry to hear about this Hitcher, it must have been extremely stressful for you and bloody gut churning to see this happen to your partner, fuck I dont how I would cope with that, sounds like your cool head saved the day mate.
pass on my best wishes and I hope you both recover, you from the stress and Mrs H from her injuries.
Good write up hopefully will keep our mortality in mind of a few of us bikers.

[Sniper]

Best wishes Hitcher. Hope recovery is speedy.

Stu

[Yokai]

Dude - I'm glad you are Ok. Please pass on my best to Jane - I know what it's like to travel in a helicopter without knowledge of what happened or why you are there....

Please - take care of her and you ... I'm really really pleased you are both Ok ('cept the concussion) - I hope that she comes through this with nothing more than a headache...

All my best,

[Paul in NZ]

Fark! What a bloody shock!

Very (very) glad to hear Mrs H is Ok (ish) but what a day you must have had. Please remember to also take care of yourself!! She will need you fighting fit!

I will PM you for your addy and drop her a get well card.

Please let me know if you want me to dash up in the marvelous magna with trailer and retreive the bike. I feel like a day off! (no seriously)

Please pass our very best regards to Jane. Further proof that despite our best plans, shitty things happen to good people.

Paul N and Vicki

[750Y]

glad Mrs H is ok, hope she makes a quick recovery & is feeling better soon.
...Dave

[Coyote]

Hope she gets well soon :niceone:

[mini_hooks_]

mate.....sorry to hear about mrs H, send my regards. hope she gets well :soon:

[V Twin Raver]

Sorry to hear about Mrs H's incident - All the very best for a quick recovery.

[Hitcher]

Jane is VERY sore this morning, with some spectacular bruising emerging on her left forearm. Her mental functions appear a lot better too, so fingers crossed for a speedy recovery. We're doing a steady trade in pain relief!

I've read out to Jane all of your best wishes. She says "Thanks very much everybody for your kindness. It's all a bit overwhelming!"

Thanks to you lot too from me. You're a bloody good bunch of folk to know!

On the bike front, Swann Insurance are making arrangements to send an assessor out to the Marauder and will make the call there whether to repair or write off, rather than transport back to Wellington and making the call here. If they decide to write it off, the bike will go directly to Turners. What a shame, because Mrs H's ride was mechanically very "pure" for a v-twin.

The forest manager, Glen, said this morning that he thought the bike looked repairable. But then again, he's not an insurance assessor managing a budget...

I'll make a home-and-contents claim on Jane's helmet today and get a new one purchased. The impact took the wing clean off the back of her XR1000... I go cold when I think about it all. Her leather jacket, once it has had a wipe with a damp cloth, will show little, if any, signs of distress.

That's all for now. I'll keep you updated on developments as they unfold.

Thank you all.

Cheers -- Hitcher

[Coyote]

Good to hear shes recovering well.

[Skunk]

Good news on the recovery. Concussion ain't nice... :(

[hXc]

Stink to hear about Mrs. H. I hope she recovers soon and I hope it didn't put her off bikes for good. I've only been on this site for 2 days but i all know your a good bunch and have met a few (Riff Raff and SpudChucka and maybe a few more) and i dont know Hitcher but he seems a good enough bloke so hope Mrs H recovers soon and all the best :doctor:

[Coldkiwi]

Hey a Hitcher, just caught up with the thread. Can't imagine what that must've felt like finding your wife on the side of the road but i'm glad to hear she's suffered no serious injuries. All our best wishes to you both.

[MSTRS]

That is bad news - sorry to hear of Mrs H's off. Must have been something in the Hawkes Bar air yesterday. I was on the poker run near Patangata when there was on off. Two bikes trailer jobs & three bods to A+E. Skin lost, broken ankle. No heads tho. As someone said to the girl with the ankle "That's motorcycling". Harley riders should learn that their skin aint leather. Anyway, I hope that Mrs H is well on the way to full recovery.

[Riff Raff]

Ooh just found this thread. Sorry to hear about it - All the best for a speedy recovery Mrs H. :hug:

[crashe]

Sheesh, what a fright you must of had to round the corner and to see Mrs Hitcher down on the ground.... That must have been so horrible to see.

Please spend the time to just look after Mrs H. and also yourself....
For you the horror of it all will kick in soon....

The bike can either be fixed or wrecked.....but most important is that Mrs H. is alive and doing ok.... It may be best that she don't remember what actually happened....

Please keep us all updated on how Mrs H. is doing....

PS: Where is this petition that you speak of?

[duckman]

Mr hitcher, I'm very sorry to hear about Mrs Hitchers accident. Please pass on my best wishes for a quick recovery.
If theres anything that I can help with please feel free to ask.

Paul.

[erik]

Jeeze, it's bad enough when a fellow biker goes down on a ride you're on, but if it's your partner, it must've been awful. I'm so glad she's ok.
I hope she has a speedy recovery.

[mini_hooks_]

Jane is VERY sore this morning, with some spectacular bruising emerging on her left forearm. Her mental functions appear a lot better too, so fingers crossed for a speedy recovery. We're doing a steady trade in pain relief!

I've read out to Jane all of your best wishes. She says "Thanks very much everybody for your kindness. It's all a bit overwhelming!"

Thanks to you lot too from me. You're a bloody good bunch of folk to know!

On the bike front, Swann Insurance are making arrangements to send an assessor out to the Marauder and will make the call there whether to repair or write off, rather than transport back to Wellington and making the call here. If they decide to write it off, the bike will go directly to Turners. What a shame, because Mrs H's ride was mechanically very "pure" for a v-twin.

The forest manager, Glen, said this morning that he thought the bike looked repairable. But then again, he's not an insurance assessor managing a budget...

I'll make a home-and-contents claim on Jane's helmet today and get a new one purchased. The impact took the wing clean off the back of her XR1000... I go cold when I think about it all. Her leather jacket, once it has had a wipe with a damp cloth, will show little, if any, signs of distress.

That's all for now. I'll keep you updated on developments as they unfold.

Thank you all.

Cheers -- Hitcher

good to hear shes back from the hospital..... :niceone: get well soon mrs H

[Monsterbishi]

I really feel for Mrs H, I got to enjoy a bad concussion/amnesia a few years back after being turned into a hood & windscreen ornament for a car doing 70+kph, my head slammed into the windscreen, in the following days, family & friends slowly came back to me, but everything said to me in the 24hrs following the accident got completely twisted and contorted, since my brain had no way of figuring humour from reality.

Although apparantly I did use some great pickup lines on the nurses that were tending to me...

[Grumpy]

My wife and I were riding that road yesterday as well so I can understand how she got caught out. Even riding carefully there were patches that got us wishing we had gone another way. It was our first time heading that way. There sure is alot of storm damage along there.

Glad to hear Mrs H is doing OK. Get well soon.

[NC]

DUDE!!!!

:gob: :gob:

I hope she gets better soon :(

:hug:

[Skyryder]

My sentiments have already been expressed by other k\bikers. Had concussion myself many years ago so have some understanding of what is going on. If any problems PM me.

Skyryder

[bane]

DUDE!!!!

:gob: :gob:

I hope she gets better soon :(

:hug:


my sentiments exactly
GWS Mrs H

[Hitcher]

These petitions are everywhere in Palmerston North at the moment, and rightly so (IMHO).

The story goes that ACC wants to headquarter all of the rescue choppers in Wellington (I presume for the southern half of the North Island and top half of the South) in a bid to reduce admin costs. Not only will this impact on "golden hour" issues for outlying areas but I imagine it will impact greatly on resources made available to regional A&E departments.

I was grateful the chopper came to the southern Hawke's Bay boondocks on Saturday to rescue Mrs H. A chopper coming from Wellington would have taken at least another three-quarters of an hour. I don't see why people who live away from the main centres should have to accept second-best service levels and standards of care. A lot of these smaller centres once had their own hospitals that had been built with the honest sweat off the brow of caring and committed locals to then see these closed when regional health boards were established. Enough already! They deserve better.

Get to Palmerston North and sign the petition. You'll find one in any dairy or service station.

[NordieBoy]

The story goes that ACC wants to headquarter all of the rescue choppers in Wellington (I presume for the southern half of the North Island and top half of the South) in a bid to reduce admin costs. Not only will this impact on "golden hour" issues for outlying areas but I imagine it will impact greatly on resources made available to regional A&E departments.

It looks like ACC won't now take Nelson's chopper away :2thumbsup
But that's not in writing yet :Oi:

You need pilots that are familiar with the conditions/terrain...

[magnum]

damn bad news,hope she heals fast :doctor:

[dangerous]

These petitions are everywhere in Palmerston North at the moment, and rightly so (IMHO).

The story goes that ACC wants to headquarter all of the rescue choppers in Wellington (I presume for the southern half of the North Island and top half of the South) in a bid to reduce admin costs. Not only will this impact on "golden hour" issues for outlying areas but I imagine it will impact greatly on resources made available to regional A&E departments.

Not right is it, what if Welly was closed to weather (can usually still take off) then ya stuffed aye.
We have had to use the rescue chopper when Kiwi Experance took 6 out of 10 riders/pillions out......and thank fudge that they were avaible as we were in the Hasst pass and one of the pillions was flowen out to Alax.

[matthewt]

Really sorry to hear about Hrs H.

Best wishes to her for a speedy recovery. I can't imagine what it would be like to see your wifes bike down. Hope you're holding up well.

[MSTRS]

Although apparantly I did use some great pickup lines on the nurses that were tending to me...
That damned amnesia just doesn't go away. *Uses humour to cope with unpleasant subjects*

[Storm]

Hope Mrs H gets well asap

[MD]

Shocked to read your post Hitcher. It must have terrified you at the first realisation that Jane had crashed.
Get well Jane.
best wishes
Mark

[MSTRS]

These petitions are everywhere in Palmerston North at the moment, and rightly so (IMHO).

The story goes that ACC wants to headquarter all of the rescue choppers in Wellington (I presume for the southern half of the North Island and top half of the South) in a bid to reduce admin costs. Not only will this impact on "golden hour" issues for outlying areas but I imagine it will impact greatly on resources made available to regional A&E departments.

I was grateful the chopper came to the southern Hawke's Bay boondocks on Saturday to rescue Mrs H. A chopper coming from Wellington would have taken at least another three-quarters of an hour. I don't see why people who live away from the main centres should have to accept second-best service levels and standards of care. A lot of these smaller centres once had their own hospitals that had been built with the honest sweat off the brow of caring and committed locals to then see these closed when regional health boards were established. Enough already! They deserve better.

Get to Palmerston North and sign the petition. You'll find one in any dairy or service station.
HEAR HEAR (yet why is it that we all seem to have to fight Bullshit Castle for what is already 'ours'?). Everyone loses when things like this are cutback or "rationalised". Give an inch etc....

[RiderInBlack]

Fu*k H. just read this. I am really sorry to here that you got hurt Mrs H. Man it must have been sickening for you H, to come back to see her lying there. Wish both of you all the best.

As for the ACC wankers, they just don't fu*ken learn (what they need is a good kick in the goules:kick: ). They tried that up here in Northland. They thought that the AK Westpac Heli would be able to do the job. Got that wrong, didn't they. Northland managed to save they own Heli. The Westpac Heli just could not do the job, and we fought like mad to keep our own.

[spudchucka]

The story goes that ACC wants to headquarter all of the rescue choppers in Wellington (I presume for the southern half of the North Island and top half of the South) in a bid to reduce admin costs. Not only will this impact on "golden hour" issues for outlying areas but I imagine it will impact greatly on resources made available to regional A&E departments.
The choppers aren't just utilised for A&E services, they also get deployed for police search & rescue operations. Without access to a close at hand chopper there will be a lot of people lost in more ways than one.

Maybe the LTSA should be coughing up funds too because without the choppers the road toll will surely go up.

[enigma51]

Glad to hear all is good with Mrs H not good to hear about fellow bikers falling espically not when its a women. Let us know if there is anything you need!

[MikeL]

Just read this thread. Please pass on my best wishes to Mrs H for a swift recovery. And I hope you're regaining your composure after what must have been a harrowing and stressful time.
Take care.
Mike

[Roadrash]

Hope it all turns out alright .
:(

[soundbeltfarm]

sorry to hear this.
get well soon.

its true be careful out there on sat my best mate come off his bike at the tokoroa MX track.
broke ribs , punctured his lung , smashed his shoulder and knee.
and he is a good rider, just a small mishap in his riding. he was unconcious since sat arvo and he is now awake so thats a plus.

[dangerous]

The choppers aren't just utilised for A&E services, they also get deployed for police search & rescue operations. Without access to a close at hand chopper there will be a lot of people lost in more ways than one.

Maybe the LTSA should be coughing up funds too because without the choppers the road toll will surely go up.
well bloody good point that spud, you would think that the funds raised from speeding alone would buy the country a small airforce letalone a couple of choppers....... sorry Mr & Mrs H kinda sliding of topic here, ummm hows things looking now?

[LB]

I'm going to see if I can get hold of a petition form and if so I'll let you all know on a separate thread where it is and how we can all sign it.

Thanks for the update on Jane - please keep us posted.

[TonyB]

Finally got around to reading this thread. Sorry to hear about Mrs H's high side. That must have been a gut wrenching feeling when you went looking for her and your worst fears were realised. Hope the recovery is speedy, the next day seems to be the worst in terms of pain and stiffness. Hope she gets back on two wheels soon.

[Pwalo]

Just logged on and caught up with this thread. Hope that all is going well. You have my full sympathies. There's nothing like waking up in the back of an ambulance.

Cheers

Paul

[Paul in NZ]

Any updates today Mr Hitcher?

Paul N

[Biff]

Holy shit - that story sends shivers down my spine mate.
Here's hoping Mrs H gets better soon.
Plenty of TLC required me thinks.

[Hitcher]

Jane was a bit sad and sorry first thing this morning but has perked up remarkably as the day has gone on. I am on leave from work and may well take the whole week off.

I arranged for Jane to see a massage therapist this afternoon who seems to have made a bit of a difference to her neck mobility. Tomorrow I'll get her to a chiropractor (there's a most excellent one at the Ngaio shops).

To all of you who have posted your good wishes and others who have PMed or sent stuff to home, thank you very much from us both. It is overwhelming and incredibly humbling at the same time to be on the receiving end of such an outpouring of love and concern. We really appreciate it. A finer group of people we couldn't want to know. Thank you.

Bikers and non-bikers alike have been asking "Will she ride again?" Jane says she hopes so, because she doesn't want to be defeated by this. A big incentive for her is getting back to be part of the KBer clan. "Where else would you find a bunch of good fun and caring people like this -- who, more importantly, understand," Mrs H says.

On more mundane matters, we have lodged a claim with Vero for a new helmet; and we're waiting for a claim form to arrive from Swann Insurance. Meanwhile Swann is sending an assessor out to the back of beyond to make the "fly or die" call on a distressed Marauder.

After wiping it off with a damp cloth, Jane's leather jacket is largely unmarked. Her Draggins that had a grass stain on the left hip pocket have now been washed and are as good as new. Boots and gloves -- undamaged.

Words can't express what it's like to have my girl back. The bard in me is a bit tired at the moment...

[Blakamin]

:2thumbsup :2thumbsup
:2thumbsup
glad to hear there's no serious damage and all will be well... All WILL be well (i said so)

[Racey Rider]

Belated best whishes from me.

I was knocked unconscience in a bike accident when young.
(speed wobbles on my Chopper! :o apparently :unsure: ) Never have remembered going down that hill and falling off! or the ambulance.
All I remember is my friend and I turning out of my parents driveway at the top of the hill,,, and now I'm in Hospital!
But thats fine with me. Hope I never remember!

(Something , something meaningful to finish off with!) :blank: Mr Hitcher.
(who knows what to write in time like these that hasn't already been rite/writted?)

Racey

[mangell6]

Jane was a bit sad and sorry first thing this morning but has perked up remarkably as the day has gone on. I am on leave from work and may well take the whole week off.

snip

The bard in me is a bit tired at the moment...

Go for a ride while she is sleeping you will feel better I am sure. :)

[StoneChucker]

Go for a ride while she is sleeping you will feel better I am sure. :)
Not if you're feeling very tired, or stressed. Thats supposedly a bad time to be riding.

[Racey Rider]

Not if you're feeling very tired, or stressed. Thats supposedly a bad time to be riding.

Yer but he can just stick "The Thing" on auto pilot. She'll be right.

[LB]

I've sorted out the petition forms, I'll post a separate thread about it.

[Slim]

You've just experienced one of the things I fear when out riding with The Man. I'd hope that my First Aid training would kick in automatically, but I don't envy you the discovery of your beloved in such shocking circumstances.

Get well soon, Mrs H. And look after you both, Hitcher.

[vifferman]

It is overwhelming and incredibly humbling at the same time to be on the receiving end of such an outpouring of love and concern. We really appreciate it. A finer group of people we couldn't want to know.
It's only because you're such a Top Bloke (and Top Blokess, in Jane's case).:yes:
If it were anyone else, especially someone who wasn't Top, it'd be a different story.
Good to hear the Top Blokess is getting better. Just keep an eye on her still for mood swings, sleepiness and all that. Brain bruising is not good.

[Paul in NZ]

Words can't express what it's like to have my girl back. The bard in me is a bit tired at the moment...

Words just did old son. A few heartfelt words of truth are worth an entire dictionary of flowery prose.

Rest up and let us know what we can do...

Paul N

[RiderInBlack]

Just going through my sub'ed threads and came across this one, which lead me to wondering:


How Mrs H is now?
Has she got back into riding?
How has it changed riding for Mrs and Mr H?
Has there been any luck with the Insurance?
Has the bike been replaced/fixed?
Hope you both are well.

Doug (The Rider In Black)

[Hitcher]

Just going through my sub'ed threads and came across this one, which lead me to wondering:

How Mrs H is now?
Has she got back into riding?
How has it changed riding for Mrs and Mr H?
Has there been any luck with the Insurance?
Has the bike been replaced/fixed?
Hope you both are well.

Doug (The Rider In Black)
Doug

Thanks for your interest.

Mrs H is pretty much back to normal, although she still has a few aches.
For the past couple of weeks she has been pillioning but would prefer to be riding her own bike.
The assessor advised on Friday that the Marauder will be written off. We just now have to await the payout from Swann.
Once the payout is received, it looks like a new K4 Marauder is the preferred solution.

We plan to be up your way in March -- Coromandel-Northland excursion planned on the conclusion of the 5 March Neil Diamond concert in Wellington. Mrs H is a big fan of ND. Having held fond thoughts for the Jewish Elvis longer than she has for me, it is best that Mrs H has an opportunity to hear him live one more time...

[ajturbo]

Just going through my sub'ed threads and came across this one, which lead me to wondering:


How Mrs H is now?
Has she got back into riding?
How has it changed riding for Mrs and Mr H?
Has there been any luck with the Insurance?
Has the bike been replaced/fixed?
Hope you both are well.

Doug (The Rider In Black)


was thinking the same.. just the other day...
thanks for putting figure to key board!!
hope we get a good reply....... :2thumbsup



good to hear !!!

[Holy Roller]

How did I ever miss this thread :brick: :weep:

I'm glad that Mrs H is doing so well and getting back on a bike again, a true biker. I wouldn't wish that experience on anyone.

Not long now before you do your trip and take in the ND concert take care out there.

[RiderInBlack]

We plan to be up your way in March -- Coromandel-Northland excursion planned on the conclusion of the 5 March Neil Diamond concert in Wellington. Mrs H is a big fan of ND. Having held fond thoughts for the Jewish Elvis longer than she has for me, it is best that Mrs H has an opportunity to hear him live one more time...If you are up here before the 14th of March, let me know (will be try to get all the horse done before going on holiday, but with a bit of warning could show you some of the good back raods up here). There's always a bed available here for passing KB'ers. Going South on the 14/03/05 (see http://www.kiwibiker.co.nz/forums/showthread.php?t=7055 ) so will not be around.
Hope the insurance has paid up by then and Mrs H is getting to break her new Marauder in by then.

All the best,

Doug

[TonyB]

Bikers and non-bikers alike have been asking "Will she ride again?" Jane says she hopes so, because she doesn't want to be defeated by this...
I'm adding this a bit late, but I does go with the general flow of the thread (accidents/ rescue helicopters) so I hope those that know Mrs H don't mind me commenting. It will start of as a bit of a waffle, but hopefully you'll see the point.
Around 2 weeks ago I got home from work to see a white helicopter hovering around the rock faces above my house. It turned out to be the Westpac rescue helicopter's temporary replacement- the normal one was being repaired after beheading a giveway sign at a call out. I raced inside and grabbed the binoculars and I could make out a couple of ambo officers, a couple of civilians and a medic from the chopper. The chopper hovered rock steady for maybe five minutes in an incredible display of flying, then it must have become obvious that it would take a while so they landed it on top of the hill. After maybe 15mins it came back into position, they lowered down a gurney(?) to lift the patient away. The chopper again hovered absolutely still while they attached they patient and then they slowly and carefully lifted him up and put him through the doors before slowly moving away. Again- an incredible display of flying, the north easter was blowing and there would have been a faily strong downdraft there, but the chopper was absolutely steady. There was nothing in the paper about it the next day, so we assumed it must have been an exercise, but about a week later a short story in the Press said that the patient had died of severe head injuries. He was a highly experienced mountaineer, who had first climbed Mount Cook (Aoraki) at 17 years of age. He had given up mountaineering at the request of his wife because she was worried about the risks...

So whats my point? Well the rescue helicopter service is an incredibly valuable resource, and one that should be available anywhere in NZ, not just in the main centres. It would have been extremely difficult to get the patient down from that rock face without the rescue helicopter.
And my other point? This is just be my interpretation of the above events, but it affirmed my belief that there is little point of giving away riding road bikes just because it is 'dangerous'. It seems that the old cliche 'when your number is up, it's up' does sometimes apply, so there is little point in giving up the things you love just to avoid a perceived 'un-necessary risk'.
Mrs H, you will no doubt be nervous if/when you start riding again. Don't worry, I think everybody is. Even top racers loose their confidence every now and then.

[Paul in NZ]

I'm adding this a bit late, but I does go with the general flow of the thread (accidents/ rescue helicopters) so I hope those that know Mrs H don't mind me commenting. It will start of as a bit of a waffle, but hopefully you'll see the point.
Around 2 weeks ago I got home from work to see a white helicopter hovering around the rock faces above my house. It turned out to be the Westpac rescue helicopter's temporary replacement- the normal one was being repaired after beheading a giveway sign at a call out. I raced inside and grabbed the binoculars and I could make out a couple of ambo officers, a couple of civilians and a medic from the chopper. The chopper hovered rock steady for maybe five minutes in an incredible display of flying, then it must have become obvious that it would take a while so they landed it on top of the hill. After maybe 15mins it came back into position, they lowered down a gurney(?) to lift the patient away. The chopper again hovered absolutely still while they attached they patient and then they slowly and carefully lifted him up and put him through the doors before slowly moving away. Again- an incredible display of flying, the north easter was blowing and there would have been a faily strong downdraft there, but the chopper was absolutely steady. There was nothing in the paper about it the next day, so we assumed it must have been an exercise, but about a week later a short story in the Press said that the patient had died of severe head injuries. He was a highly experienced mountaineer, who had first climbed Mount Cook (Aoraki) at 17 years of age. He had given up mountaineering at the request of his wife because she was worried about the risks...

So whats my point? Well the rescue helicopter service is an incredibly valuable resource, and one that should be available anywhere in NZ, not just in the main centres. It would have been extremely difficult to get the patient down from that rock face without the rescue helicopter.
And my other point? This is just be my interpretation of the above events, but it affirmed my belief that there is little point of giving away riding road bikes just because it is 'dangerous'. It seems that the old cliche 'when your number is up, it's up' does sometimes apply, so there is little point in giving up the things you love just to avoid a perceived 'un-necessary risk'.
Mrs H, you will no doubt be nervous if/when you start riding again. Don't worry, I think everybody is. Even top racers loose their confidence every now and then.

The patient was a chap I went to High School with and whom I did some tramping etc when we were young. At the time of the accident he was climbing with my younger brother (possibly his best friend in recent times) and while I totally agree with what you are saying, there is a lot more 'history' behind this story of giving up the hard out mountaineering..

It was an utter freak accident. The fall was nothing unusual really and should have been no more than a broken leg or arm even with the failed top anchor but sometimes bad shit happens to good people. Despite the best gear and planning. Something that motorcyclists can easily understand.

So yes! Thank god for the rescue heliocoptors and staff. With them and the fact that he was climbing with 2 experienced medical people, he at least had a chance at life.

Paul N

[Midnight 82]

:spudwhat: All I can add is damn not another one best wishes :confused:

[TonyB]

It was an utter freak accident. The fall was nothing unusual really and should have been no more than a broken leg or arm even with the failed top anchor but sometimes bad shit happens to good people. Despite the best gear and planning. Something that motorcyclists can easily understand.

So yes! Thank god for the rescue heliocoptors and staff. With them and the fact that he was climbing with 2 experienced medical people, he at least had a chance at life.

Paul N
I was very surprised to hear that he had died, the rock face seemed pretty small from my house. Definitely a freak accident. My appologies for using your freinds untimely death to illustrate my point.

[Paul in NZ]

I was very surprised to hear that he had died, the rock face seemed pretty small from my house. Definitely a freak accident. My appologies for using your freinds untimely death to illustrate my point.

No sweat mate. Like I said, bad shit happens to good people.