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View Full Version : An all to common story (Palomar Fatality 8/18)


DrGonzo
08-18-2007, 12:22 PM
Me and a couple buddys headed to palomar this morning. We were on the 76 with me out ahead and we were coming around the corner right after Jilbertos Tacos when i saw tons of tiny bits of plastic.

Ive seen enough motorcycle accidents to know what that means. I come around the corner and there is a rider in the middle of the street, there is a flatbed tow truck a little further up the road and a bike in the bushes to the right.

I quickly pull off the road (I was the first person on the scene, aside from the tow truck driver who was already stopping westbound traffic) and was almost taken out by ANOTHER rider who took the corner too fast and came within inches of taking out my bike and I, he lost it in the shoulder and laid it down, he was ok but I didnt even give it another thought. I ran over to the rider I could see, he was rashed up pretty badly because he was only wearing a tank top and shorts. I called 911 then went over to the rider with the tank top and shorts. I made him squeeze my finger with both hands and wiggle both feet (ive seen paramedics do this, i think it checks for spinal injuries?)

By then a group of riders and motorists had gathered and i heard someone say "the guy by the truck looks like hes in bad shape" So i go over to the truck and it was apparent that he had sustained a head injury, no open wounds but out of respect for the rider and anyone on here that might know him I wont go into details. He was weaing a T-shirt and jeans. When the paramedics arrived they performed CPR on him for, what seemed like an eternity but he was gone.

Apparently what had happened is that they were going westbound and overshot the corner, one had hit the tow truck and the other had laid the bike down trying to avoid the accident.

Right after the police had gotten our statements and we were about to leave I notice a piece of paper sitting in what was now a huge spill of what looked like oil from the truck. It was a failed motorcycle license test from the end of June. They were both on brand new '07 GSXR 1000s

Wear your gear, dont override your abilities or your knowledge of the road and dont buy a bike that is out of your league, this accident was so avoidable, thats what makes it so frustrating to see. If you know anyone that is looking to get a motorcycle TALK TO THEM ABOUT THIS STUFF.

ducaticorse
08-18-2007, 01:11 PM
Christ.

Tricolore
08-18-2007, 02:56 PM
What a waste...but all to common these days.

Rhett
08-18-2007, 03:56 PM
They shouldn't sell a bike these days unless the rider has a license and has taken the safety course.

Very sad.

nucking_futs
08-18-2007, 04:20 PM
That's a very sad story Gonzo, it's terrible. So this wasn't even on the mountain it sounds like if it's by the taco stand. That's way down the bottom before you even start the ascent.

RIP to the fallen rider. Godspeed.

Smoke Eater
08-18-2007, 04:49 PM
As someone who deals with this stuff often remember this: we all want to help but quite often it causes more damage. Never, ever remove someone's helmet. They will have x-rays through the helmet and then it will be cut off.

The best thing you can do is call 9-1-1, secure the scene, and don't get hit by ignorant cage drivers as they rubberneck.

DrGonzo
08-18-2007, 05:19 PM
As someone who deals with this stuff often remember this: we all want to help but quite often it causes more damage. Never, ever remove someone's helmet. They will have x-rays through the helmet and then it will be cut off.

The best thing you can do is call 9-1-1, secure the scene, and don't get hit by ignorant cage drivers as they rubberneck.

I never removed anyones helmet and the guy that almost hit me was on a bike...

qqqqqqqman
08-18-2007, 07:37 PM
RIP :(


Gonzo....so the guy who almost hit you and laid it down was one of your buddies? :dunno


**

1st Duc
08-18-2007, 10:24 PM
Good work Gonzo, I'll say one tonight for them both. Gonzo I hope it doesn't spook you to much I know that kindda stuff stays in the head.

The guys that ride in any canyon without gear are dumb asses and unfortunately any dumb ass can by a bike... gear up and sweat it out....

DrGonzo
08-19-2007, 08:47 AM
RIP :(


Gonzo....so the guy who almost hit you and laid it down was one of your buddies? :dunno


**


No i didnt know the guy

DrGonzo
08-19-2007, 08:51 AM
Good work Gonzo, I'll say one tonight for them both. Gonzo I hope it doesn't spook you to much I know that kindda stuff stays in the head.

The guys that ride in any canyon without gear are dumb asses and unfortunately any dumb ass can by a bike... gear up and sweat it out....

It definitely put me in a melancholy mood all day yesterday, but the more i thought about it, the more i realize that it was the riders fault. New rider, new liter bike, no gear. I dont think the fact that it was a motorcycle accident spooked me, its just that ive never watched a person die before yesterday, and i wish i never saw it.

I'll ride again, and I'll ride Palomar again, but i just need a couple days to get this shit out of my head, I dont want to be on the bike with all these thoughts bouncing around because it will get in the way of what i should be focusing on, riding.

IcePick06
08-19-2007, 12:11 PM
It definitely put me in a melancholy mood all day yesterday, but the more i thought about it, the more i realize that it was the riders fault. New rider, new liter bike, no gear. I dont think the fact that it was a motorcycle accident spooked me, its just that ive never watched a person die before yesterday, and i wish i never saw it.

I'll ride again, and I'll ride Palomar again, but i just need a couple days to get this shit out of my head, I dont want to be on the bike with all these thoughts bouncing around because it will get in the way of what i should be focusing on, riding.

:1. Another important reason not to ride too aggressively in the canyons...keep that stuff for the track. Reason being, if you come into a corner at a pace that you are comfortable with and skilled enough to ride at, there could be an accident in the way or unforseen gravel or something in the road and you will be forced to lay your bike down to avoid it (like the rider who almost hit Gonzo but had to crash to do so).

RIP to the fallen riders and I hope the other rider is ok.

Notorious DSB
08-19-2007, 02:37 PM
There's a reason why racers ride slow on the streets, if they ride streets at all. All the canyon bombers can do their thing and think they're hardcore, there's no trophy at Mothers or Newcombs.

It should be illegal to sell big powered bikes to those who don't even have a license or the bare modicum of skill to handle something beyond a Vespa.