Murchison crash: Quick response saves biker’s life

A friend of a Perth motorcyclist seriously injured in the remote Murchison says travelling in a group and having good communication equipment probably saved his life. Colin Bayman was part of a group of 25 adventure riders and two support vehicles travelling with carpenter Neal Allen on the final stage of a 3000km, nine-day ride through the Mid West, Gascoyne and Pilbara. They were on the unsealed Newforest Yallalong Road, about 180km east of Gallina Bridge, travelling single file because of the dust, when 57-year-old Mr Allen was hit by a kangaroo. “No one saw it,” Mr Bayman said. “It was about 10.30am on September 19, sunny skies, everyone was feeling fresh. He was about No.6 and I was two behind him, and the next thing, his bike was on the ground. “Within a short period we realised it was pretty serious but we didn’t know how bad. His bike was a mess. At first we were all wondering ‘what’s happened here? How do you crash on a straight road?’ “We thought maybe he’d had a blowout and then someone saw a roo on the side of the road — it had come out about a 90-degree angle at him.” One of the group, nurse Mark Lebkuecher, provided first aid, and within minutes the group deployed an electronic locator beacon, or EPIRB. “We also used a device which has the ability to SMS, so we were able to provide our satellite phone numbers,” Mr Bayman said. “Within no time, police were on the phone and were able to work out plans.” By about 12.10pm, Mr Allen was on a helicopter. “Our nurse flew with him to Geraldton, where they assessed him and RFDS flew him to Royal Perth Hospital,” Mr Bayman said. The chopper used to take Mr Allen to Geraldton just happened to be in the Mid West for an army training exercise. The Nationals WA are campaigning for a permanent rescue helicopter in Geraldton. Mr Bayman, who became friends with Mr Allen about five years ago through the Perth Adventure Riders Facebook group, said he had not seen Mr Allen since the crash, because the hospital was limiting visitors. The hospital earlier this week listed his condition as stable. “Two of the other guys have seen him. It will be a long recovery but he seems to still have a smile on his face, judging from some of the comments he’s made about the ride,” Mr Bayman said. “He doesn’t have much recollection of the accident. “From what I understand, he has lots of broken ribs, an injured shoulder, and internal injuries.” The accident has underscored for the 58-year-old public servant the dangers of motorcycle riding and the value of riding in a group and being prepared. “A lot of adventure riders go tearing across the desert on their own. If Neal was on his own he probably would have perished, it’s as simple as that,” he said. “Sometimes we’re accused of being soft for having support people, but when something like this happens you can’t beat having it — and all the goodies (comms) you need.”