Rider down: cnbiker (Norcal, Saratoga Gap disaster)
All,
What started as a beautiful ride ended with no less than 3 fire trucks, ambulance, park ranger and a helicopter.
There were 5 of us that met in the parking lot. Beautiful evening for a ride. Everything was going great. We went all the way out to Peters loop and were coming back. We took one last break at those benches before we bomb down to the cross Skyline and head into the final singletrack section. Cnbiker (Hong I think is his name) was commenting on what a terrific night this was.
Hong was in front of me and we flew down that last hill before coming out on Skyline. Hong appeared to try to catch a little air and then disaster. He crashed like nothing I've ever seen.
I rode up asking if he was all right and came up on a horrifying scene. Hong was laying on his side, face smashed in, gurgling with blood coming out of his mouth. Contusions <-sp? on his neck. His breathing was labored and his upper lip puffed up. God knows how many teeth were gone. To make matters worse, he had this big metal ball attached to his handlebars that normally holds his GPS. I believe that went straight into his face.
We all were horrified and a couple of us ran out to Skyline and flagged down some cars to see if anyone had a cell phone. A lady pulled over and went to the nearby Fire station to get help. Shortly after that Dan took of on his bike and rode to the Ranger station.
In the meantime, Hong passed out and his breathing still seemed labor. We comforted him as much as possible. After about 10-15mins the first fire truck arrived. They showed up with backboard and other stuff. Hong was awake but completely out of it. They asked his name and other questions that he couldn't really answer.
A park ranger asked those who witnessed this accident our contact information, etc. She volunteered to take his bike to the ranger station for later pickup.
Once we realized that the situation was under control, we hauled a$$ back to our cars since we were running out of light. We got to the Gap parking lot to find another fire truck and a helicopter circling above us. The firemen told us to pack up and get out of there so the helicopter could land. We got out of there and pulled over to the other parking lot and got out to see the helicopter land, but both the fire truck and helicopter dissappeared to a different location.
We got back in our cars, shaken and left with our thoughts on the way home.
cnbiker - I hope I got your name right. Here's to wishing you well and a fast recovery. You gave us quite the scare, and we all look forward to hearing from you soon.
"If an illegal alien is an undocumented immigrant, than a drug dealer is an unlicensed pharmicist."
cnbiker - I hope I got your name right. Here's to wishing you well and a fast recovery. You gave us quite the scare, and we all look forward to hearing from you soon.
That's his name. Really great guy. He has a daughter who's ~ two months old. Hong, let us know if you need a hand with anything. I know I live close to you, so just ask.
That's his name. Really great guy. He has a daughter who's ~ two months old. Hong, let us know if you need a hand with anything. I know I live close to you, so just ask.
Sweet! Someone that knows him. We were all concerned on how to contact family members. We all briefly met him and I'm terrible with names. I know he drove up riding a sweet Mini Cooper.
If anyone has any updates, let us know.
-Bullit
"If an illegal alien is an undocumented immigrant, than a drug dealer is an unlicensed pharmicist."
Oh man, that is horrible! I rode with Hong once. Nice mellow guy. Don't worry guys. He'll recover. It's an awful feeling to experience something like that. For those of us that were there when Francis crashed, we all just felt sick. Especially when they're facial injuries. Our face is so much a part of our identity, its just that much more traumatic for all involved. My prayers go out to him and his family.
Yep that's him. He has a really nice Mini and a Motolite I think. Seems like a real nice guy. Total pleasure to ride with.
I feel terrible for him and can only hope that his injuries aren't as severe as they looked. His bike is with the park ranger and I assume he's at a hospital somewhere right now.
"If an illegal alien is an undocumented immigrant, than a drug dealer is an unlicensed pharmicist."
a while ago. Real cool guy if it is the same person. I hope the best for him and his family. bullit71, props to you and your crew for getting help and comforting him. It is not easy playing medic when that is not your profession.
Hong, I do hope you will be ok and recover with minimal pain. Ask if you need anything, this is a great group of people here.
Yeah, that was a pretty tense and emotional event we went through.
We got very lucky that the crash happened 50 feet from the road, and the fire dept was only 1/2 mile away. Thanks to Mark for flaggin down the car and remembering the fire dept was right up the road. Once I heard that it was hammer time to get to the fire dept.
The event made me realize that I NEED to start carrying some sort of useful identification and emergy contact info. None of us knew Hong very well, and really have no idea how to get in touch with him or his family.
I also think a full face helmet could have greatly helped out. He could have gotten up and walked away if he had been wearing one. It's time to invest in one.
I just spoke to someone at Openspaces. He says that Hong is at Stanford hospital. They got his address and info off of his car's license plate and are contacting his family, if they haven't done so already.
Hong was knocked unconscious for a few minutes, but when he woke up he had movement in his legs and arms. He tried sitting up a few times so I think his neck and back/spine are okay.
I realize that I was pretty dazed after all of this:
1) I nearly missed my exit while driving back home. I had to skip over 4 lanes after seeing the sign at the last moment. Luckily there wasn't much traffic.
2) I walked right by the door to my apartment and had to double back.
At 7:21pm we got called out for a unconcious Mt Biker on the Saratoga Gap trail at charcoal fire road. Our Saratoga Summit station responded to the scene along with a Paramedic engine from the city of Saratoga.
Initially we set up the landing zone at the gap but the Pilot of the Life Flight Helicopter vetoed it so we diverted to sempervirons point 2 miles west to shut down hwy 9 and land life flight . It was my first command of an LZ and it figures I was doing it at night. but I got the hwy shut down and the helo safely down.
The Biker had serious head injuries, Per the medics he smashed up good wiping out on a water bar and they did a load and go into the ambulance which got to us 5 minutes later. From there we did a rapid unload from the ambulance and load into the rear bay of the Stanford Life Flight helo and they lifted less than a minute later. He was unconcious when I helped load him into the helo....I hope he makes it....but with the quick actions of his buddies, 9 fire fighters, 2 park rangers and two AMR medics gave him a good shot as he was alive when he lifted with two really good trauma nurses taking care of him in the 8 minute helo flight to the trauma center.
we got back to the station at 9pm
Warning: Consumption of alcohol may make you think the person on the barstool next to you is attractive
I can picture in my head the exact spot of the crash and can see how it happened. The water bar / drainage ditch is right at the end of a downhill stretch that is very easy (and fun) to catch a lot of speed on. Not knowing that ditch is there and/or how to react to it is a quick recipe for a crash. This is a terrible way to be reminded of the necessity of being careful riding over that section.
I've ridden the gap dozens of times and like to launch off of that thing, but have even had a close calls myself. I wiped out on the fire road in a loose turn last week, but only went home with a scraped up knee. Bad vibes from the gap?
Definitely time for a full-face... and a little more caution.
At 7:21pm we got called out for a unconcious Mt Biker on the Saratoga Gap trail at charcoal fire road. Our Saratoga Summit station responded to the scene along with a Paramedic engine from the city of Saratoga.
Initially we set up the landing zone at the gap but the Pilot of the Life Flight Helicopter vetoed it so we diverted to sempervirons point 2 miles west to shut down hwy 9 and land life flight . It was my first command of an LZ and it figures I was doing it at night. but I got the hwy shut down and the helo safely down.
The Biker had serious head injuries, Per the medics he smashed up good wiping out on a water bar and they did a load and go into the ambulance which got to us 5 minutes later. From there we did a rapid unload from the ambulance and load into the rear bay of the Stanford Life Flight helo and they lifted less than a minute later. He was unconcious when I helped load him into the helo....I hope he makes it....but with the quick actions of his buddies, 9 fire fighters, 2 park rangers and two AMR medics gave him a good shot as he was alive when he lifted with two really good trauma nurses taking care of him in the 8 minute helo flight to the trauma center.
we got back to the station at 9pm
First off, you guys rule. My father in law is a retired ballation chief for SJFD and I know the kind of stress you guys are under to do your job. Thanks for helping a brother out! As you see here, we all care a lot for one another's safety. Much in the same way you are with the other men in your crew. It's scary to hear words like you said. Serious head trauma, unconscious, hope he makes it. This is serious stuff we're dealing with here. I hope the gravity of his injuries weighs heavy on us to be responsible and look after each other like these guys did.
Good work to all involved. You just never know when an injury is life threatening.
I wear a set of custom dog tags on most rides that I had made at a Army Surplus store, for about $5. name, address, phone and Medical Insurance #.I sure hope nobody has to read them one day, but I'm glad I have them.
Dog tags......great idea jeffh!
Tragic scene, probably one of every MTB’s worst nightmares! I hope all is well and I would like to wish Hong a speedy recovery!
I'm the firefighter that was in charge of landing the helicopter that spoke to you in the parking lot
Well luckily I've never had to have you guys work on me, but I've had to call 911 a few times in my life, and I just want to say thanks for all the work you guys do. You're always there when needed, thanks!
Whoa! I was a broken derailluer cable a way from joining you guys last night. I hope Hong is okay. Ever since Francois' fall I started carrying a first aid kit and cellphone on all my rides. Luckly I haven't had to use them...
At 7:21pm we got called out for a unconcious Mt Biker on the Saratoga Gap trail at charcoal fire road. Our Saratoga Summit station responded to the scene along with a Paramedic engine from the city of Saratoga.
Initially we set up the landing zone at the gap but the Pilot of the Life Flight Helicopter vetoed it so we diverted to sempervirons point 2 miles west to shut down hwy 9 and land life flight . It was my first command of an LZ and it figures I was doing it at night. but I got the hwy shut down and the helo safely down.
The Biker had serious head injuries, Per the medics he smashed up good wiping out on a water bar and they did a load and go into the ambulance which got to us 5 minutes later. From there we did a rapid unload from the ambulance and load into the rear bay of the Stanford Life Flight helo and they lifted less than a minute later. He was unconcious when I helped load him into the helo....I hope he makes it....but with the quick actions of his buddies, 9 fire fighters, 2 park rangers and two AMR medics gave him a good shot as he was alive when he lifted with two really good trauma nurses taking care of him in the 8 minute helo flight to the trauma center.
we got back to the station at 9pm
Buzz,
Thanks for updating us! And thanks for doing what you guys do. We probably take it for granted sometimes until something like this happens.
-Bullit
"If an illegal alien is an undocumented immigrant, than a drug dealer is an unlicensed pharmicist."
My friends and I were riding at the Gap at the same time as Hong and the others last night. We were all smiles at the top of Pete's Creek enjoying the view and the beautiful weather and fun ride. We took off first to head back to the parking lot and since we had been running into each other on the trail the whole ride, I was surprised that the group didn't catch up to us on the last climb out. And then I had this sinking feeling when we got back to the parking lot and saw a fire truck drive up - I was really hoping that it wasn't someone in that group that was hurt.
Whoa! I was a broken derailluer cable a way from joining you guys last night. I hope Hong is okay. Ever since Francois' fall I started carrying a first aid kit and cellphone on all my rides. Luckly I haven't had to use them...
Wow. I just read this and I don't know what to say.
We're all pulliing for you, Hong. Here's sending healing vibes your way. I hope you're not in a lot of pain. Heal quickly!!!
Ever since Francois' fall I started carrying a first aid kit and cellphone on all my rides. Luckly I haven't had to use them...
At least some basic first aid training is in order also. I thought a buddy of mine was going to die right in front of me once, first thing I did was try my cell phone only to find I had no coverage. Situations like this can be very scary to deal with especially if no one else is around except for yourself, it's up to you to make the right choices at that point.
I've never tried any of these (received this in an email yesterday) but I figured its worth knowing about them, especially the first one!
THINGS YOU NEVER KNEW YOUR CELL PHONE COULD DO.
There are a few things that can be done in times of grave emergencies. Your mobile phone can actually be a life saver or an emergency tool for survival. Check out the things that you can do with it:
FIRST Subject: Emergency
The Emergency Number worldwide for Mobile is 112. If you find yourself out of the coverage area of your mobile; network and there is an emergency, dial 112 and the mobile will search any existing network to establish the emergency number for you, and interestingly this number 112 can be dialed even if the keypad is locked. Try it out.
SECOND Subject: Have you locked your keys in the car?
Does your car have remote keyless entry? This may come in handy someday. Good reason to own a cell phone: If you lock your keys in the car and the spare keys are at home, call someone at home on their cell phone from your cell phone. Hold your cell phone about a foot from your car door and have the person at your home press the unlock button (on your 'other' remote), holding it near the mobile phone on their end. Your car will unlock. Saves someone from having to drive your keys to you. Distance is no object. You could be hundreds of miles away, and if you can reach someone who has the other "remote" for your car, you can unlock the doors (or the trunk). Editor's Note: It works fine! We tried it out and it unlocked our car over a cell phone!"
THIRD Subject: Hidden Battery Power
Imagine your cell battery is very low. To activate, press the keys *3370# your cell will restart with this reserve and the instrument will show a 50% increase in battery. This reserve will get charged when you charge your cell next time.
FOURTH How to disable a STOLEN mobile phone?
To check your Mobile phone's serial number, key in the following digits on your phone: * # 0 6 # A 15 digit code will appear on the screen. This number is unique to your handset. Write it down and keep it somewhere safe. When your phone gets stolen, you can phone your service provider and give them this code.
They will then be able to block your handset so even if the thief changes the SIM card, your phone will be totally useless. You probably won't get your phone back, but at least you know that whoever stole it can't use/sell it either. If everybody does this, there would be no point in people stealing mobile phones.
And Finally....
FIFTH
Cell phone companies are charging us $1.00 to $1.75 or more for 411 information calls when they don't have to. Most of us do not carry a telephone directory in our vehicle, which makes this situation even more of a problem. When you need to use the 411 information option, simply dial: (800) FREE 411, or (800) 373-3411 without incurring any charge at all. Program this into your cell phone now.
We make a living by what we get, we make a life by what we give.
I tried to see Hong at Stanford...wasn't able too, but his family is aware
My thoughts go out to Hong and hopes he makes a full recovery. I'm buddies with Bullit71, who told me the story and was right behind Hong when he crashed, and was haunted by this a bit as was everyone that was at the scene. Its just very hard to see someone so injured. I was at Stanford today for some handtherpy myself (I've posted in this forum), so I volunteered to try to stop by and see if I could give some simple well wishes and show of support from the community. The hospital folks were very helpful and made it easy to find his room, and I quickly made it to his ICU floor. It was 30 min before visiting hours, so a nurse buzzed the main station to see if I could see him. They grilled me on his name, which I got after enough guesses, and then said I needed the family password to be connected to his room, which I of course didn't have, so no dice. What this does mean is that his family is aware, but that's all I got. They also didn't say he was unable to see / talk to anyone, so maybe we can take that as I good sign as well. I wish I had more news for everyone here, but nope. For now he's on 2nd floor of Wing E if anyone else happens to be in the area. That is an ICU area, so hopefully he won't be there long.
I've never tried any of these (received this in an email yesterday) but I figured its worth knowing about them, especially the first one!
THINGS YOU NEVER KNEW YOUR CELL PHONE COULD DO.
None of this is true (except for the 800 FREE 411 and your service provider being able to disable a handset). 112 is an emergency number in the UK, but there is no worldwide emergency number.
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Originally Posted by bullit71
