Sun, May 20, 2007
Lucky accident
Motorcyclist crashes and off duty health care workers come to his aid
By CARY CASTAGNA, SUN MEDIA
Police investigate a colision involving a car and a motorcycle at 137 ave and 129 Street Sunday afternoon. Perry Mah/SUN MEDIAAn Edmonton motorcyclist injured in a serious T-bone collision with a car Sunday morning may want to consider buying a lottery ticket.
While the man likely considers himself unlucky after breaking several bones in the crash on the city’s north side, witnesses say he was extremely fortunate that a handful of off-duty health professionals immediately happened upon the scene – including a doctor, a nurse and a paramedic – along with a St. John Ambulance volunteer.
Those are some odds, said Rita Tremblay, who lives on 137 Avenue near the crash site just west of 127 Street.
“With everyone working together, I think he’ll have less after-effects,” said Tremblay, a St. John Ambulance volunteer who administered first aid moments after calling 911 and running from her nearby home.
Tremblay, 48, said a nurse who witnessed the collision was already tending to the injured man when she arrived with her first aid kit.
Moments later, a paramedic showed up, followed by a doctor, Tremblay said.
Lucky but injured
The 19-year-old motorcyclist suffered a broken leg, broken wrist and broken arm, according to police and witnesses.
He also had a deep gash that stretched across his hip to his stomach, Tremblay said, adding the doctor pointed out that the gash came dangerously close to a major artery.
The motorcyclist, who had a bad case of road rash, was wearing shorts, a jacket and a helmet.
“Thank goodness for the helmet. He would’ve been dead otherwise,” Tremblay said.
“He was launched over the hood and down quite aways. He flew.”
The crash victim was taken to Royal Alexandra hospital.
He is expected to recover from his injuries.
The driver of the car wasn’t seriously hurt.
How it happened
The collision occurred about 11:40 a.m., said Edmonton police Sgt. Joan Ashmore.
Cops and witnesses said it appeared the four-door sedan was making a left turn onto 137 Avenue to go east when the vehicle was broadsided by the westbound motorcycle.
The road was closed to traffic in both directions between 127 and 131 streets, causing massive congestion in the area for several hours.
Tremblay said it’s a bad intersection that has seen more than its share of crashes and fender-benders.
Police have seized the motorcycle and the car for mechanical inspections.
EPS traffic collision analysts are continuing the investigation.
The motorcyclist’s name was not released.
cary.castagna@sunmedia.ca
"Hi guys,
We had a call from Aunt Theresa last night to say that Justin was in an
accident with his motorbike. It turns out that it wasn't his fault....some
guy ran a stop sign and Justin T-boned him. He was hurt pretty bad....the
worst injury being a big laceration in his groin area that severed a couple
of arteries. He would probably have bled to death at the scene but for the
immediate and rather miraculous presence of a doctor. He kept pressure on
the wound until the paramedics could arrive. They had to put a bunch of
blood into him but they were still afraid they might lose him when Theresa
arrived. His left wrist was shattered and they had to pin a bone in his
leg....he's going to be a while recovering but he's going to live."
This was the news article and the e-mail I received from my dad, concerning my cousin Justin's near fatal crash... I know some of you guys knew him...
Thank the Lord for His protection and intervention!! Please pray for him and my Aunts whole family during this time...
Thank the Lord for His protection and intervention!! Please pray for him and my Aunts whole family during this time...
