by John Thompson 250-384-5858 jt@pinc.com

On October 12th, 18 year old Gene Wey had a catastrophic fall off his downhill bike in Mt. Work/Hartland Park. When Gene came off his bike he struck his spine on a small rock, sticking out of the ground no more than a few centimetres. Gene is now paralysed from his chest down and in Vancouver at GF Strong Rehabilitation Centre.
Gene was performing what is described as an "easy" 3 foot drop on his downhill bike in Mt. Work/Hartland Park. Something went horribly wrong. Gene's front wheel caught something and Gene was pivoted off his bike onto the ground. Witnesses say Gene did everything right, he tucked and rolled off his shoulder onto his back.

Sadly, in Gene's landing area was that rock sticking up just a few centimetres. Gene struck that rock square on his spine. Fortunately Gene's fellow riders were able to react quickly, contacting the proper emergency agency (in Hartland that is the Highlands Volunteer Fire Department) who rushed to the scene. They had to hike into the location with emergency first aid equipment and an aluminum stretcher, stabilize Gene and get him on the stretcher. It was then they found the tight trails made carrying Gene and the stretcher out a difficult chore. It required about 8 people to carry it.

Another call was made and Saanich Fire Department was mobilized and they showed up with a special one wheeled stretcher (think of a really big BOB trailer). That took about another hour and finally, 3 hours later in the dark, Gene was loaded into an ambulance and taken to hospital. Gene has been through the hospital routine in Vancouver and has now been transferred to G.F. Strong Rehabilitation Centre in Vancouver and at last report is keeping his spirits up.

Gene will eventually be able to get around in a wheel chair, but his medical plan does not cover the cost of such equipment. Anyone wanting to contribute to help Gene buy a wheel chair (a good one costs about $4,000!) can drop by Gene's fave bike shop, MAC'S Cycle Centre at 3627 Shelbourne St. (in the Shelbourne Plaza near S/Bucks coffee, 477-7612) and make a contribution to the fund.

This was one of a series of eye opening accidents this year: a dad, Murray Hinley, was out riding with his kids out of Rathtrevor Park near Parksville this summer, when he rode down a small dip at an easy pace, was tossed off the bike, landed on his helmeted head, damaged his spine and is now a quadriplegic; Alan Bergman, a local rider, during a forest fire fighting training exercise was resting against a tree when the roots gave way and Alan and the tree plunged down an embankment, Alan is a paraplegic; and now Gene's seemingly simple fall off an easy rock drop.

Each one of these accidents took place when the people were doing something very simple or relaxing. Not one was the result of 'gonzo' riding. It seems that it would pay off to pay close attention to your riding no matter what you are doing!

These serious accidents along with a few simple mishaps that, fortunately, resulted in lesser injuries (ie: Alison Sydor's spill in Fairfield, when returning a video, could have been catastrophic as well) gives us pause to think. To think about staying sharp even when doing the simplest of riding; to think about not riding alone; to think about how to respond when a fellow rider is seriously injured.

We as mountain bikers have been very fortunate. There have been few catastrophic accidents, making the sport seemingly safe. This is a sport with inherent dangers, yet a good many of us just go out for a ride without so much as a pump and spare tube, let alone a basic first aid kit (bandages and salve) or the slightest idea of how to contact emergency services; how to get them to the right spot; and how to make sure the injured rider is kept safe during the wait for the professionals.

Every rider should make sure they know: where the Emergency Phone is, or nearest phone is if you are not in Hartland; where you are riding, to inform the 911 operator and they can send the proper agency to that location; how to pinpoint where they are in the park; how to coordinate a meeting place with the emergency services people and guide them to the injured rider; and how to keep the injured rider safe while waiting for emergency crews.

Knowledge of these simple procedures can save the life or a limb of an injured rider. Just a simple broken bone can lead to serious complications that might result in amputation if an injured rider is improperly attended to. When you go out there, be prepared. There is a "Clip and Save" box (pg 5) in the latest MUD NEWS that will guide you through the basics of reacting to a riding accident. Clip it, get it laminated in plastic and carry it with you in your wallet, camelback or any other item that ALWAYS goes with you on a ride. It could save somebody's life.

jt