ynkyroz
09-17-2007, 11:47 AM
On Sunday, August 12 of 2007 my son Robbie and a good friend of his Ricky Wagner were at a private practice track working to keep fresh for racing during their off time. The boys got separated and Robbie went to look for Ricky. He didn't do this out of carelessness though. A few weeks prior to this Ricky had an accident on his own and had injured his wrist. Robbie was concerned for his friend and went to see if he was ok.
Well unfortunately he found him....
They crashed nearly head on in a curve, each running at a pretty fair rate of speed. Ricky used a radio to let the dads know that they had crashed, and it was bad. The dads got to the boys and called for help. EMS arrived and assessed the boys and it was determined that Robbie needed to be air lifted to the hospital. The boys were stabilized and shuttled into a pickup truck, they were toted to waiting ambulances. Robbie was taken to a location and loaded up on helicopter. Ricky was taken to a local hospital to be treated.
Robbie was flown to Raleigh. To UNC Chapel Hill. His right femur was fractured about half way up the bone. His kneecap on right leg as well is cracked. He has 3 stitches in his chin to close a flap of skin torn during the crash. He has misc scrapes and a few minor bruises.
Sunday night they performed surgery to repair his femur. He has two rods in an X pattern holding the bone together. The rods will remain in his leg for 2 years they are guessing. Currently he has a brace on to stabilize his kneecap and allow it to heal. Right now for the next few days or so he is using a wheelchair. A few weeks ago he sprained his left ankle during another practice session, so the wheelchair is to keep that injury from becoming worse by his having only use of the left leg.
He was released August 13th about 3 pm. After visiting with orthopedics and physical therapy. We have to go back to Raleigh, an hour long drive away, for any care from here on associated with treatment of the accident.
Ricky was treated and released on Sunday. He has fractured 4 different bones in his left arm. He suffered minor injury to his left leg. He has some stitches and road rash the same as Robbie.
God was no doubt with both of these young men! Both were wearing all the protective gear they own from head to toe! The ems was very happy to see both boys wearing the protective gear, so many of the calls similar to this the patients are lucky to have been wearing helmets.
I thank all of those that were praying, not only for Robbie but Ricky as well. They both have a fairly long recovery ahead of them. But they are both young and stubborn as the day is long...So I have no doubt that they both will recover nicely and be back on the track as soon as time and their bodies allow.
As a matter of fact Ricky Wagner was well enough a couple of weeks ago to run his first race since the accident, and placed third. Robbie will be out for some time. We are hoping that he will be able to race next season starting in March.
Thanks to all who take the time to read our story. This is our first year racing with the North Carolina Hare Scramble Association. We have met some amazing people through the NCHSA. They are now considered friends, not simply fellow racers.
I have read other stories here and my heart aches for all injured riders. You are all in my thoughts and prayers.
Linda Byerly
The Racer's Prayer
Lord, I pray as I race today,
Keep me safe along the way.
Not only me, but the others too,
As they perform the jobs they do.
I know God, that in every race,
I, the rider must set the pace.
Let not my desire for more speed,
Warp my judgement and turn into greed.
From green to checkered, guide me through.
Giving me strength to know what to do.
Remind me often in the race of life,
How to cope with all the strife.
Help me accept the wins I may receive,
And all the defeats, most graciously.
Ride with me, don't allow me to lag,
Guide me all the way to the checkered flag.
Well unfortunately he found him....
They crashed nearly head on in a curve, each running at a pretty fair rate of speed. Ricky used a radio to let the dads know that they had crashed, and it was bad. The dads got to the boys and called for help. EMS arrived and assessed the boys and it was determined that Robbie needed to be air lifted to the hospital. The boys were stabilized and shuttled into a pickup truck, they were toted to waiting ambulances. Robbie was taken to a location and loaded up on helicopter. Ricky was taken to a local hospital to be treated.
Robbie was flown to Raleigh. To UNC Chapel Hill. His right femur was fractured about half way up the bone. His kneecap on right leg as well is cracked. He has 3 stitches in his chin to close a flap of skin torn during the crash. He has misc scrapes and a few minor bruises.
Sunday night they performed surgery to repair his femur. He has two rods in an X pattern holding the bone together. The rods will remain in his leg for 2 years they are guessing. Currently he has a brace on to stabilize his kneecap and allow it to heal. Right now for the next few days or so he is using a wheelchair. A few weeks ago he sprained his left ankle during another practice session, so the wheelchair is to keep that injury from becoming worse by his having only use of the left leg.
He was released August 13th about 3 pm. After visiting with orthopedics and physical therapy. We have to go back to Raleigh, an hour long drive away, for any care from here on associated with treatment of the accident.
Ricky was treated and released on Sunday. He has fractured 4 different bones in his left arm. He suffered minor injury to his left leg. He has some stitches and road rash the same as Robbie.
God was no doubt with both of these young men! Both were wearing all the protective gear they own from head to toe! The ems was very happy to see both boys wearing the protective gear, so many of the calls similar to this the patients are lucky to have been wearing helmets.
I thank all of those that were praying, not only for Robbie but Ricky as well. They both have a fairly long recovery ahead of them. But they are both young and stubborn as the day is long...So I have no doubt that they both will recover nicely and be back on the track as soon as time and their bodies allow.
As a matter of fact Ricky Wagner was well enough a couple of weeks ago to run his first race since the accident, and placed third. Robbie will be out for some time. We are hoping that he will be able to race next season starting in March.
Thanks to all who take the time to read our story. This is our first year racing with the North Carolina Hare Scramble Association. We have met some amazing people through the NCHSA. They are now considered friends, not simply fellow racers.
I have read other stories here and my heart aches for all injured riders. You are all in my thoughts and prayers.
Linda Byerly
The Racer's Prayer
Lord, I pray as I race today,
Keep me safe along the way.
Not only me, but the others too,
As they perform the jobs they do.
I know God, that in every race,
I, the rider must set the pace.
Let not my desire for more speed,
Warp my judgement and turn into greed.
From green to checkered, guide me through.
Giving me strength to know what to do.
Remind me often in the race of life,
How to cope with all the strife.
Help me accept the wins I may receive,
And all the defeats, most graciously.
Ride with me, don't allow me to lag,
Guide me all the way to the checkered flag.