Saturday's accident (20 June)

[DEATH_INC.]

Where do I start.....
I saw it happen, I ran back and with a couple of others tried like hell to keep him alive, I felt the deep feeling when someone passes away, I wiped his blood from my hands. I see the accident and the results in my head every time I close my eyes.

Don't you lot think I feel guilty as hell?

BUT I really don't think I could have prevented it, apart from not 'organizing' it, but even that may not have prevented it from happening if he chose to go on his own.
There was no-one else involved. He wasn't 'racing' or even going fast.
Yes it was not terribly well organized, but the route was clearly stated in the first post of the ride, along with the fact that we'll wait for slower riders, no pressure to keep up.

No-one had to come.

Despite all this I still have that sick feeling in my stomach, and will live with this for the rest of my life.

And don't worry, it won't happen again.

R.I.P Disturbed (Micheal Lagore)

[Maha]

Good onya Andy, alot has been said about it but you say it best.

[White trash]

Mate, I'm felling for all that were on the ride and witnessed what was seen. I can't begin to comprehend what you're all going through. The fact of the matter is these accidents happen, regardless of group riding or otherwise.

It's a tragic event that can not be undone.

R.I.P Michael.

[Headbanger]

Mate, I'm felling for all that were on the ride and witnessed what was seen. I can't begin to comprehend what you're all going through. The fact of the matter is these accidents happen, regardless of group riding or otherwise.

It's a tragic event that can not be undone.

R.I.P Michael.

I wrote out and deleted 4 or 5 posts trying to say exactly that, But yours does it better.

[YellowDog]

Look mate, there is no point beating yorself up over this. I don't know you or him, but it made me quite sick reading what happened.

We have all made mistakes on the road. We all know exactly what was going trough his mind just before he died. The fact is that we have all learnt from our mistakes, he just never got the chance to learn from it as his number was up. Very very sad, but life must go on.

My advice to you is to get some councelling over this. It is a very serious thing to get your head around and to try and do it on your own will be tougher than you could imagine. I'd start by changing your Handle/Avatar.

Take it easy. I wish you all the best for the coming months.

[BarBender]

Ditto with Trashy on those who saw and went through the young riders last moments.

You're still an awesome guy in my books Andy. Be strong and take heart that there are those around who are there for you at this time.

RIP Disturbed

[dogsnbikes]

Its Always a gut wrenching situation regardless of how hard you try..was in the same situation last year and it took a while too sink in but we came too terms with the fact that there was nothing more we could have done so we honor them and remember them..I Don't know Micheal but thoughts are with you all,support each other I'm sure he would want that

R.I.P Micheal

[Edbear]

Mate, I'm felling for all that were on the ride and witnessed what was seen. I can't begin to comprehend what you're all going through. The fact of the matter is these accidents happen, regardless of group riding or otherwise.

It's a tragic event that can not be undone.

R.I.P Michael.

+1 and if what you say is true, it is simply that, a tragic accident that you could not have done anything about.

I hope I never have to experience what you and other riders have in this regard. My deepest sympathies and condolences to all involved.

[rachprice]

Where do I start.....
I saw it happen, I ran back and with a couple of others tried like hell to keep him alive, I felt the deep feeling when someone passes away, I wiped his blood from my hands. I see the accident and the results in my head every time I close my eyes.

Don't you lot think I feel guilty as hell?

BUT I really don't think I could have prevented it, apart from not 'organizing' it, but even that may not have prevented it from happening if he chose to go on his own.
There was no-one else involved. He wasn't 'racing' or even going fast.
Yes it was not terribly well organized, but the route was clearly stated in the first post of the ride, along with the fact that we'll wait for slower riders, no pressure to keep up.

No-one had to come.

Despite all this I still have that sick feeling in my stomach, and will live with this for the rest of my life.

And don't worry, it won't happen again.

R.I.P Disturbed (Micheal Lagore)

This is in no way your fault, I know it will be hard to think that but you have to try, because it is the truth

I feel for you and the feelings you must be having, I hope it gets easier soon

[Shaun S]

Andrew you are a good man - and this thread proves it! You did your best and tried to organise a ride that people would enjoy, the young mans passing was not your fault, it was not preventable (from your side anyway).

I have been reading some of the shit people have been spouting at you and you do not deserve it mate. You organised a ride - you did not pull a trigger. That guilt can be crippling, I really hope it starts to diminish at some stage for you.

Take care of yourself - I can see you have good friends around these parts - use them! They will carry you through.

RIP to the fallen rider.

[R1madness]

Mate, you are not to blame despite how you feel. Do not take ownership of other peoples errors. We all make our own decissions and mistakes in life. The accident is a tragedy, the loss of a life unforgetable.
I agree that some councilling (its just talking about how you feel) will do you a lot of good (think of it a soap for your mind). ACC will fund it if you talk to your GP about it and get a referral. In fact everyone that was on the ride should be entitled to funded councilling.
I feel for you buddy.

[Crisis management]

Despite all this I still have that sick feeling in my stomach, and will live with this for the rest of my life.

I was involved in an accident similar to this a few weeks ago and understand how you feel, hopefully my 2c worth might help.
# It's called an accident because its accidental, shit happens and we are unfortunately left to deal with it. It wasn't your fault.
# It will take time to get over those memories, no they won't go away but they will not haunt you forever. Talk to your mates and keep working the pain out of your system, it is the only solution.
# Turn the net off, the keyboard heroes always have 20/20 hindsight and we all know what we would do if we had the foresight to match but we don't. We do the best we can and then have to muddle through whatever happens.

I don't know you but you've always seemed like a reasonable man on here, hang in there and my thoughts are with you.

Iain

[icekiwi]

It's a tradgedy what happened forsure...
There's no way you can blame yourself for what has happened...
We started the ride with you guys and hooked a left at Kopu instead of going up the coast,real glad we did now I'm not sure I would have liked my partner or myself to have witnessed the aftermath.
Hang in there and I hope all that have been affected by this get through it with the passing of time..
Big heads up for your post it must have been a hell of a thing to go through...


Icekiwi..aka Phil

[MSTRS:Me]

I know nothing bar what I've read. That said, it is clear from that reading that this is/was a terrible accident, that no-one could have realistically foreseen and therefore could not have done anything to prevent.
Our sport does carry it's risks, and even the most responsible riders can sometimes find themselves in the wrong place at the wrong time.
Take care, all.

[SPman]

Don't blame yourself Andy - it's not your fault!

When you ride with a group, as on a "KB website suggested ride", (not organised, because they aren't - they are a loose knit collection of riders who want to ride the same roads at the same time), the dynamics of the group make it impossible to know what's going to happen. Even if they are all experienced mates who always ride together!

When mistakes are made ( and they always are, no ones perfect) and the results are tragic, everyone feels bad, some feel angry, - understandable, but blame shouldn't be an issue unless people are riding 10/10ths with no regard for the road, traffic or anyone else's safety - which was apparently not the case here.

I've ridden with you on Coro rides - I know what you're like - a quick smooth competent rider who doesn't like people to over ride themselves when riding with you (or at all), and one who makes allowances for all riding levels. Plus you're a nice guy. Don't blame yourself!

We are all, ultimately, however, responsible for ourselves, never more so than when we ride - which is surely, one of the reasons we do ride.
You can't control what happens on someone else's bike, any more than someone else can control yours.
It's a shit thing to happen, but it has.

My sympathies to all involved.