hayleyearth Posted March 6, 2021 Posted March 6, 2021 We are testing out the medical service in NZ again. We went riding at Totara park again yesterday, a relaxing family cycle. Layla was with me on the MTB, her dad riding in front of us. We were going slow and still on the very gentle trails at the start. I came around the bend and there Thomas was lying on the ground, helmet off his head back to us. I put Layla down at my bike and went to look at what happend. He was lying unconscious. Blood everywhere. I started yelling for help, I didn't have my phone and at least the park was very busy. People came to help quickly, felt like the ambulance took for ever. He had to be carried quite far. Currently in hospital, a few broken vertebrae, very very bad deep cuts to his face, nose halfway teared off. Crazy! Crazy! That all this damage could happen on a normal piece of trail that had no bumps, not even a big slope. An area our 2 year old will ride with her own bike. We are in Middlemore hospital and I can't fault the service received here again. The only rediculous thing is the COVID restrictions. Layla can't come with. Now that he is in a ward I'm not really allowed in here either, only visitors for companionate reasons are really allowed (so when the patient is dying). Eish, don't know what the recovery will look like yet. They are finishing up plastic surgery on his face now which was done under full anesthesia. What a tough few weeks for our little family. Can only go better now.
Wayne Potgieter Posted March 7, 2021 Author Posted March 7, 2021 We are testing out the medical service in NZ again. We went riding at Totara park again yesterday, a relaxing family cycle. Layla was with me on the MTB, her dad riding in front of us. We were going slow and still on the very gentle trails at the start. I came around the bend and there Thomas was lying on the ground, helmet off his head back to us. I put Layla down at my bike and went to look at what happend. He was lying unconscious. Blood everywhere. I started yelling for help, I didn't have my phone and at least the park was very busy. People came to help quickly, felt like the ambulance took for ever. He had to be carried quite far. Currently in hospital, a few broken vertebrae, very very bad deep cuts to his face, nose halfway teared off. Crazy! Crazy! That all this damage could happen on a normal piece of trail that had no bumps, not even a big slope. An area our 2 year old will ride with her own bike. We are in Middlemore hospital and I can't fault the service received here again. The only rediculous thing is the COVID restrictions. Layla can't come with. Now that he is in a ward I'm not really allowed in here either, only visitors for companionate reasons are really allowed (so when the patient is dying). Eish, don't know what the recovery will look like yet. They are finishing up plastic surgery on his face now which was done under full anesthesia. What a tough few weeks for our little family. Can only go better now.I saw your post on Facebook and was wondering what was happening. I am extremely sorry you are going through this! Do they know what led Thomas to falling? Is there anything Juanita and I can do? mazambaan 1
davetapson Posted March 7, 2021 Posted March 7, 2021 We are testing out the medical service in NZ again. We went riding at Totara park again yesterday, a relaxing family cycle. Layla was with me on the MTB, her dad riding in front of us. We were going slow and still on the very gentle trails at the start. I came around the bend and there Thomas was lying on the ground, helmet off his head back to us. I put Layla down at my bike and went to look at what happend. He was lying unconscious. Blood everywhere. I started yelling for help, I didn't have my phone and at least the park was very busy. People came to help quickly, felt like the ambulance took for ever. He had to be carried quite far. Currently in hospital, a few broken vertebrae, very very bad deep cuts to his face, nose halfway teared off. Crazy! Crazy! That all this damage could happen on a normal piece of trail that had no bumps, not even a big slope. An area our 2 year old will ride with her own bike. We are in Middlemore hospital and I can't fault the service received here again. The only rediculous thing is the COVID restrictions. Layla can't come with. Now that he is in a ward I'm not really allowed in here either, only visitors for companionate reasons are really allowed (so when the patient is dying). Eish, don't know what the recovery will look like yet. They are finishing up plastic surgery on his face now which was done under full anesthesia. What a tough few weeks for our little family. Can only go better now.Damn. So sorry to hear. mazambaan 1
patham Posted March 7, 2021 Posted March 7, 2021 We are testing out the medical service in NZ again. We went riding at Totara park again yesterday, a relaxing family cycle. Layla was with me on the MTB, her dad riding in front of us. We were going slow and still on the very gentle trails at the start. I came around the bend and there Thomas was lying on the ground, helmet off his head back to us. I put Layla down at my bike and went to look at what happend. He was lying unconscious. Blood everywhere. I started yelling for help, I didn't have my phone and at least the park was very busy. People came to help quickly, felt like the ambulance took for ever. He had to be carried quite far. Currently in hospital, a few broken vertebrae, very very bad deep cuts to his face, nose halfway teared off. Crazy! Crazy! That all this damage could happen on a normal piece of trail that had no bumps, not even a big slope. An area our 2 year old will ride with her own bike. We are in Middlemore hospital and I can't fault the service received here again. The only rediculous thing is the COVID restrictions. Layla can't come with. Now that he is in a ward I'm not really allowed in here either, only visitors for companionate reasons are really allowed (so when the patient is dying). Eish, don't know what the recovery will look like yet. They are finishing up plastic surgery on his face now which was done under full anesthesia. What a tough few weeks for our little family. Can only go better now. Sorry to hear & I hope things turn out OK in the end for all. Which vertebrae are broken ? I broke 4 thoracic in my off last year, so I can comment on how my recovery went - but mileage can vary. Covid restrictions to hospitals are the pits, and the worst is that they hit you unexpectedly and at the last minute when you are already dealing with the shock and trauma of an unplanned visit in an emergency situation. My son had a MTB crash last year and I drove the family to the children's hospital ER. I then had to wait most of the rest of the day in my car in the ER carpark as they would only let one guardian in (my wife). They had a taped off car-park in front of the COVID check-gate and I just was not allowed to get out the car. You must have faced a similar issue with your daughter- except with even less options. Luckily when I crashed a month later, my health insurance coughed up for a private room, so I was allowed one person per day to visit (no children allowed). Even that concession made a huge difference.
Kranswurm Posted March 7, 2021 Posted March 7, 2021 We are testing out the medical service in NZ again. We went riding at Totara park again yesterday, a relaxing family cycle. Layla was with me on the MTB, her dad riding in front of us. We were going slow and still on the very gentle trails at the start. I came around the bend and there Thomas was lying on the ground, helmet off his head back to us. I put Layla down at my bike and went to look at what happend. He was lying unconscious. Blood everywhere. I started yelling for help, I didn't have my phone and at least the park was very busy. People came to help quickly, felt like the ambulance took for ever. He had to be carried quite far. Currently in hospital, a few broken vertebrae, very very bad deep cuts to his face, nose halfway teared off. Crazy! Crazy! That all this damage could happen on a normal piece of trail that had no bumps, not even a big slope. An area our 2 year old will ride with her own bike. We are in Middlemore hospital and I can't fault the service received here again. The only rediculous thing is the COVID restrictions. Layla can't come with. Now that he is in a ward I'm not really allowed in here either, only visitors for companionate reasons are really allowed (so when the patient is dying). Eish, don't know what the recovery will look like yet. They are finishing up plastic surgery on his face now which was done under full anesthesia. What a tough few weeks for our little family. Can only go better now.Eish, sorry to hearSounds hectic.Hope Thomas heals up quickly Take care
Rocket-Boy Posted March 7, 2021 Posted March 7, 2021 We are testing out the medical service in NZ again. We went riding at Totara park again yesterday, a relaxing family cycle. Layla was with me on the MTB, her dad riding in front of us. We were going slow and still on the very gentle trails at the start. I came around the bend and there Thomas was lying on the ground, helmet off his head back to us. I put Layla down at my bike and went to look at what happend. He was lying unconscious. Blood everywhere. I started yelling for help, I didn't have my phone and at least the park was very busy. People came to help quickly, felt like the ambulance took for ever. He had to be carried quite far. Currently in hospital, a few broken vertebrae, very very bad deep cuts to his face, nose halfway teared off. Crazy! Crazy! That all this damage could happen on a normal piece of trail that had no bumps, not even a big slope. An area our 2 year old will ride with her own bike. We are in Middlemore hospital and I can't fault the service received here again. The only rediculous thing is the COVID restrictions. Layla can't come with. Now that he is in a ward I'm not really allowed in here either, only visitors for companionate reasons are really allowed (so when the patient is dying). Eish, don't know what the recovery will look like yet. They are finishing up plastic surgery on his face now which was done under full anesthesia. What a tough few weeks for our little family. Can only go better now.Wow that is rough Hayley, I hope he is going to make a full recovery.It shows though how quickly something like this can happen. The hospital thing has been standard in SA for over a year now, you go in alone and there are no visitors allowed.
The Ghost Posted March 7, 2021 Posted March 7, 2021 We are testing out the medical service in NZ again. We went riding at Totara park again yesterday, a relaxing family cycle. Layla was with me on the MTB, her dad riding in front of us. We were going slow and still on the very gentle trails at the start. I came around the bend and there Thomas was lying on the ground, helmet off his head back to us. I put Layla down at my bike and went to look at what happend. He was lying unconscious. Blood everywhere. I started yelling for help, I didn't have my phone and at least the park was very busy. People came to help quickly, felt like the ambulance took for ever. He had to be carried quite far. Currently in hospital, a few broken vertebrae, very very bad deep cuts to his face, nose halfway teared off. Crazy! Crazy! That all this damage could happen on a normal piece of trail that had no bumps, not even a big slope. An area our 2 year old will ride with her own bike. We are in Middlemore hospital and I can't fault the service received here again. The only rediculous thing is the COVID restrictions. Layla can't come with. Now that he is in a ward I'm not really allowed in here either, only visitors for companionate reasons are really allowed (so when the patient is dying). Eish, don't know what the recovery will look like yet. They are finishing up plastic surgery on his face now which was done under full anesthesia. What a tough few weeks for our little family. Can only go better now.That really sucks, all the best to you all and may his recovery go as well as possible.
DJR Posted March 7, 2021 Posted March 7, 2021 (edited) Vasbyt Hayley I'll keep my fingers crossed for your husband and the whole family. I know the hospital situation is very stressful at the moment, but it truly is the only way hospitals can still function more or less normally. Without those precautions, the hospital staff are the first to contract Covid and then the service collapses. I know it doesn't make it any easier for you, but use technology to the maximum to keep contact. Edit: Somewhere in the back of my head I seem to recall that you are in the medical field. If that's the case, sorry, you know all this already. Edited March 7, 2021 by DJR
patches Posted March 7, 2021 Posted March 7, 2021 We are testing out the medical service in NZ again. We went riding at Totara park again yesterday, a relaxing family cycle. Layla was with me on the MTB, her dad riding in front of us. We were going slow and still on the very gentle trails at the start. I came around the bend and there Thomas was lying on the ground, helmet off his head back to us. I put Layla down at my bike and went to look at what happend. He was lying unconscious. Blood everywhere. I started yelling for help, I didn't have my phone and at least the park was very busy. People came to help quickly, felt like the ambulance took for ever. He had to be carried quite far. Currently in hospital, a few broken vertebrae, very very bad deep cuts to his face, nose halfway teared off. Crazy! Crazy! That all this damage could happen on a normal piece of trail that had no bumps, not even a big slope. An area our 2 year old will ride with her own bike. We are in Middlemore hospital and I can't fault the service received here again. The only rediculous thing is the COVID restrictions. Layla can't come with. Now that he is in a ward I'm not really allowed in here either, only visitors for companionate reasons are really allowed (so when the patient is dying). Eish, don't know what the recovery will look like yet. They are finishing up plastic surgery on his face now which was done under full anesthesia. What a tough few weeks for our little family. Can only go better now. Sorry to hear this. I hope the healing process goes well!
GrahamS2 Posted March 7, 2021 Posted March 7, 2021 Actually you are incorrect.They are opening new trails on a regular basis.A lot of them are wilderness type of trails and tough and SAFE.To one of the other comments regarding Ndedema,the smugglers have been using that route down to the valley for decades.We have never been troubled even when staying in Schoongezight where the pass hits the river.BTW if anyone is interested,the Ndedema Valley holds some of the best examples of San art and it is worth your while to book a guide.NZ has some magnificent long trails.Here is something to compete.http://rimofafrica.co.za/#topBooking a guide is not optional, and a guide is mandatory. Ndedema has been closed to the public since 1998 to protect the rock art and over security issues involving the poachers. Mojoman and mazambaan 2
rad006 Posted March 8, 2021 Posted March 8, 2021 Super Hectic Hayley, glad he is in safe hands now. Wishing him a speedy recovery. Steven Knoetze (sk27) 1
davetapson Posted March 8, 2021 Posted March 8, 2021 (edited) Actually you are incorrect.They are opening new trails on a regular basis.A lot of them are wilderness type of trails and tough and SAFE.To one of the other comments regarding Ndedema,the smugglers have been using that route down to the valley for decades.We have never been troubled even when staying in Schoongezight where the pass hits the river.BTW if anyone is interested,the Ndedema Valley holds some of the best examples of San art and it is worth your while to book a guide.NZ has some magnificent long trails.Here is something to compete.http://rimofafrica.co.za/#top Yeah, we used to have a family cottage between Champagne Castle Hotel and Monks Cowl forestry station. My grandfather built in the late '50's. We eventually decided to give it up when the gate guard was AK47'd for the change in his box. Folks we met here were attacked in their room in Champagne Castle Hotel. Hiking on the berg there hasn't been safe for a good long time. It's not the smugglers that are the problem (maybe) it's the opportunists looking for relatively easy pickings, which small parties in remote places are. Edited March 8, 2021 by davetapson GrahamS2 1
Kranswurm Posted March 10, 2021 Posted March 10, 2021 Yeah, we used to have a family cottage between Champagne Castle Hotel and Monks Cowl forestry station. My grandfather built in the late '50's. We eventually decided to give it up when the gate guard was AK47'd for the change in his box. Folks we met here were attacked in their room in Champagne Castle Hotel. Hiking on the berg there hasn't been safe for a good long time. It's not the smugglers that are the problem (maybe) it's the opportunists looking for relatively easy pickings, which small parties in remote places are.Well for all your naysaying we still go and we have not had our hearts ripped out and our bodies thrown down the cliff.
Hairy Posted March 10, 2021 Posted March 10, 2021 We are testing out the medical service in NZ again. We went riding at Totara park again yesterday, a relaxing family cycle. Layla was with me on the MTB, her dad riding in front of us. We were going slow and still on the very gentle trails at the start. I came around the bend and there Thomas was lying on the ground, helmet off his head back to us. I put Layla down at my bike and went to look at what happend. He was lying unconscious. Blood everywhere. I started yelling for help, I didn't have my phone and at least the park was very busy. People came to help quickly, felt like the ambulance took for ever. He had to be carried quite far. Currently in hospital, a few broken vertebrae, very very bad deep cuts to his face, nose halfway teared off. Crazy! Crazy! That all this damage could happen on a normal piece of trail that had no bumps, not even a big slope. An area our 2 year old will ride with her own bike. We are in Middlemore hospital and I can't fault the service received here again. The only rediculous thing is the COVID restrictions. Layla can't come with. Now that he is in a ward I'm not really allowed in here either, only visitors for companionate reasons are really allowed (so when the patient is dying). Eish, don't know what the recovery will look like yet. They are finishing up plastic surgery on his face now which was done under full anesthesia. What a tough few weeks for our little family. Can only go better now.Best wishes and a strong recovery!!!!
davetapson Posted March 10, 2021 Posted March 10, 2021 Well for all your naysaying we still go and we have not had our hearts ripped out and our bodies thrown down the cliff. No, but you're playing odds. Like a doorman that I heard advising a tourist in Jhb "Yes, you should be safe, but I can't guarantee it..."
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