aharbi Down

[Owen]

Apparently Art was involved in a bad crash. This is the content of a posting from the Stormtroopers forum:

 

I had never ridden or even met Aharbi prior to this morning, only conversed a few times via posts and PMs on this website. Anyway, we met as planned in Medina and talked for about 15 minutes before beginning our ride together. We rode the 40 miles into Leaky with me in the lead. I didn't know Aharbi's comfort level or ability so after "testing" the pace up and down for a few miles I settled in right at the posted speed limits and Aherbe was never more than a few bike lengths back in my mirrors and showed to be a solid and capable rider.

 

After a burger in Leaky, we headed out Hwy 337 to begin our loop ride. Right away the road gets very twisty with multiple back-to-back 90 degree hair-pin, blind cliff-side turns with posted speeds between 10 to 20 MPH. This is a very narrow road with 2-way traffic so when a car is approaching from the opposite direction you cant see it until you're in the middle of one of the many turns. And because of the sharpness and quantity of turns, it's really tough to be proactive and look ahead because your focus is directed at the turn you're navigating. All that said, leaned over in one of the turns as a car comes whizzing by 3 feet away from the opposite direction can be somewhat startling.

 

I lead us through the first few turns and came to a small stretch of straight road where I checked my mirrors and Aharbi wasn't there. I slowed to a crawl, then pulled to the side of the road and waited about a minute but he didn't appear. We had only gone about 2 miles so I knew something was wrong. I turned back up the road and two corners later I found him laying in the middle of the road with his bike on its side......

 

I ran over and found him conscience but very startled and shaken up. A few other bikes soon stopped and began directing traffic (mostly other bikes) around us. Eventually he was able to sit up and confirm nothing was broken and that he could move all his parts. He was wearing ATGATT which I think probably saved his life. We got his helmet off and helped him to the side of the road, still dazed and very confused, not able to remember what happened or even where he was at. It was a tough situation.......

 

About 15 minutes later the Sheriff and then the Ambulance arrived. The Paramedics checked him over and confirmed no bones appeared to be broken but they were concerned with his dizziness and dementia. We checked his helmet and found multiple deep scratches and gouges. He was wearing a full face HJC. The Paramedics decided to take him into Uvalde which was the closest hospital, 40 miles away.

 

Aharbi's Wee was mashed bad. The front wheel was shattered and the forks are bent back to the left side of the frame. The front of the bike is toast and I'm sure the frame is tweaked as well. Its probably a total. I decided to stay behind to wait for the wrecker and accompany his bike back to the tow lot in Leaky. I'm not a doctor so there was nothing I could do for him at the hospital, so I tried to put myself in his shoes and think what I would want someone to do for me given the situation. After the wreck Aharbi couldn't even remember where he was so I felt like he would probably later appreciate that his bike was confirmed to be in safe keeping.

 

While waiting with the Sheriff we concluded that based on the pavement gouges it appears that while in the apex of the left-hand turn Aharbi made an abrupt right-hand correction which stood the bike up and sent him head on into the guard rail...... Good thing the guard rail was there because the other side was a 50+ foot drop off........ I confirmed to the Sheriff that we were not speeding (entered the corner at approx. 20 MPH) and he agreed that an on-coming car most likely startled him and caused him to veer to the right and into the guard rail. There were no skid marks found and no flat spots on either tire, so it appears he hit while still under throttle....... Per the Sheriff, they are called out for motorcycle accidents on the Three Sisters at least 2 or 3 times each weekend during the summer. And about half of them result in fatalities. This was one of the more well known turns for accidents.

 

While we were waiting for the tow truck, the Sheriff got a call on his radio stating that while in transit to the hospital, Aharbi had gone to a "Code 1". The Sheriff explained that this meant he had gone critical...... ***? This just seemed to be a routine concussion 10 minutes ago? The Sheriff stated that unfortunately it's common because once the adrenaline wears off the real injuries come to the surface.

 

So I ditched the plan to stay with his bike and decided to make a bee line for Uvalde. The Sheriff was a super guy and gave me his card, stating he would make sure Aharbi's motorcycle was secure. I made it the 40 miles to the hospital in 25 minutes.

 

When I arrived Aharbi was in bad shape and fading in and out of unconsciousness. They had already done X-rays and CT scans and found swelling on his brain and fluid in his right lung. Uvalde is a little country hospital so they called in Life Flight and helicoptered him to San Antonio.

 

Ok, here's where it gets interesting. First the Sheriff, then the Paramedics, then the hospital, all asked me loads of typically routine questions;

 

What's his name? Aharbi

What's his real name? I dunno

How old is he? I dunno

Where does he live? Ummm, somewhere North of Austin

Where exactly? I dunno

Is he married? I think so

What's her name? I dunno

What's her phone number? I dunno

How can we contact his family? I dunno

 

OK sir, you're not very much help. Are you being serious? What do you mean you just met him over the Internet? All this sounds pretty crazy sir.

 

Due to the head trauma while out on the highway and in the hospital, Aharbi couldn't recall much at all. He remembered he had his cell phone in his jacket, but couldn't remember his pass code so we were unable to unlock his phone to find any phone numbers. He couldn't remember if he had any allergies or prior medical conditions. He couldn't remember much personal info at all. Eventually he recalled his home phone number, which I called but got an answering machine. I had no choice but to leave "one of those messages" that he had been in an accident, was in the hospital in San Antonio, and to please call me. This was 2:00 this afternoon and it's now 10:00 and I have received no call. I hope to God the hospital was able to locate his wife.

 

Not sure of Aharbi's status at this time. I did confirm that he made it to the ICU at SAMMC hospital in San Antonio, but because I'm not blood they won't tell me anything more. I'm gonna try again tomorrow and also try and contact his wife.

 

And more update:

 

 

Hello to all and thanks for your posts and concern...

 

I received a call from Ahabri's wife late last night and he was still in ICU but doing much better. The swelling on his brain is under control and he is starting to get some of his marbles back. He has no recollection of what happened to cause the wreck, and no memory of the events that unfolded afterwards. She had a positive attitude about the whole situation and was in good spirits.

 

I figure ill give it a couple of days then touch base to see how he's doing.... I'm really glad he's doing better as I was pretty distraught last night worrying. I've been down twice myself before, but nothing like what happened to Aharbi.

 

Thanks again for all the comments and ill post again once more is known.

[playboy]

WE wish him a full recovery.

[XV1100SE]

Hoping for a full and speedy recovery !!

 

Don & Nancy

[deepforkriver]

Wow, Truly one of the most sobering things I have read lately. We will be praying for him. Thank you for the update.

This just reminded me to make my background picture on my phone a picture list of all the "ICE" or "In Case of Emergency" contacts so they dont have to know my password. On an IPhone, we press the Power button and round home button at the same time to take a screen shot or picture, then set it as background. It will always be there.

Thanks Owen,

James

[Phoneman1981]

Thanks for the information. Prayers sent.

[sarges46]

All the best for a full recovery. Sounds nasty....thank goodness for good gear!

[mraf]

Prayers sent for a fast recovery.

[Marcarl]

Wishin and prayin for Art, thanks for keeping up with him,,,, that's what makes a friendship.

[ragtop69gs]

Wishing Art a full and speedy recovery.

[Patrolman46]

Owen, I feel for your predicament during this accident. I think we should all take a little lesson with your reenactment of this accident. We need to have a little more info about those we are riding with. I was made very aware of this by Phoneman1981 (Mark Shields) 2 summers ago just before we rode to Sturgis. We had just recently met on this site, even though we lived within 25 miles of each other for 20+ years. Mark said we should trade important info, *wifes name & phone #, allergies, meds taken, blood type, etc.* Fortunately we never had to use the info, but I still have his & we ride together quite a lot.

 

Keep us up to date on Aharbi.

 

C Ya,

[BradT]

All the best.

 

BRad

[tz89]

A friend of mine in a crosswalk with the light got hit by a car while talking to me on the phone. Bad concussion. She was in a different city with no local contacts so the cops and the hospital had no one to contact. No one picked up the phone so I could provide info although I could hear the crowd gather, react and the ambulance ride. You can't call the police to find out anything because of medical privacy. You have to call all the hospitals but they don't always have their admissions updated minute by minute. It wasn't until the next day I found her.

 

Anyway, I printed up a box of emergency info cards so you can carry info for your friends, church, work, whatever and whomever you want someone to know when the worst happens.

 

Basically its just a business card with instructions that say: Emergency Info Card. Write contact info for your home, work, insurance, church, other organizations. Include various social contacts. Identify the person with access to your living will and authorized medical power of attorney. Do not include confidential ID numbers.

 

I scribble my info and carry it in my wallet. I give out blanks to everyone. If you PM me with an address I'll send you a few. But, please, do carry something with you. I don't trust the phone idea nor do I always carry one. But I always have my wallet.

[Yammer Dan]

Prayers on the way.

[bigbob]

Wishing him all the best, exchanging information is a very good idea. You never know whats around the next curve.

Ride safe, Bob

[djh3]

Sorry to hear about this event. Prayers go out man. Scarry deal. Reminds me though as I ride solo alot. I use to allways on the back of my helmets have blood type, and alergies none on a piece of the ole Dymo tape. The old plastic embossed stuff. I gues it came from the old moto cross days. I'll be putting something like that on my lids in the next couple days.

[Aussie Annie]

Prayers sent up

[Carbon_One]

Hate to hear news like this but pray & hope Art recovers. Good on you Owen for trying to help what you could. That's good info TZ and something that I'm going to do before the next time I ride the bike.

Larry

[saddlebum]

I just finished reading about Art . I hope he pulls through without any serious side affects. Head injurys can be nasty. Prayers for him and his wife that all turns out well.

[Kregerdoodle]

Owen, Thanks for the info, Thoughts and Prayers to Art and his Family, please keep us informed of any further info. Ya`ll ride safe!

 

K

[Barrycuda]

Wishing Art a full and speedy recovery.

 

A few neat ideas here about exchanging info and the business cards. I ride mainly solo. I wear a wristband from RoadID. This has options of what you want to have on the front of the band such as name of wife, allergies, blood type etc. it also on the back has a number where when on style RoadID site, you can add even more information regarding your physician, meds, etc. they are super cheap, easy to wear, come in different colors and fabric. All the ideas are good if you use them. I wear mine every time I ride.

[etcswjoe]

Praying for a full and speedy recovery.

[Black wing]

best wishes art, and a speedy recovery. going down is always terrifying

[dacheedah]

Thoughts and prayers

[Freebird]

It's always a sad day when any biker goes down. Even more so when it's one of our own. Our thoughts and prayers are with you for a quick and full recovery.

[Guest]

Prayers sent for a full recovery.