He hit a ditch, launching his bike into an electrical pole and then he flew through a fence, ending up at the bottom of a tree in someone’s garden. When Ambulance Victoria (AV) paramedics arrived soon after, they weren’t sure he’d make it.
“There were bits of motorbike smashed all over the grass in front of the property and a big hole in the fence. Ryan was five or 10 metres into the property under a tree, not in a good way,” paramedic Robert Van Der Toorren said.
At the scene, he received critical, life-saving care from specialist mobile intensive care ambulance (MICA) and advanced life support (ALS) paramedics.
MICA paramedics gave Ryan a trauma-specific medication to stop internal bleeding and manage his blood pressure, oxygen therapy and significant pain relief medication. They also applied a pelvic splint, multiple limb splints and spinal immobilisation.
Ryan had given himself the best chance of survival, by wearing protective gear including a helmet and full body leathers.
“Wearing all his protective gear saved his life,” Robert said.
“While the crash broke his bones, his gear saved his brain and his skin.”
It is Motorcyclist Awareness Month and AV and the Transport Accident Commission (TAC) are encouraging motorbike riders to take their safety seriously and always wear a helmet that complies with safety standards and protective clothing.
“I’ve been to plenty of motorcycle incidents where people haven’t worn protective gear and they definitely come off second best,” Robert said.
“You’re always more vulnerable on a bike, so doing everything you can to protect yourself is the single best thing you can do, regardless of length of journey or the weather.”
A bit over a year on from his crash, Ryan is back at work after relearning how to walk, to co-ordinate his body mechanics and to use his right arm. Learning how to manage and live with his pain, his brain injury and psychological consequences of the crash continues.
“I treated my recovery like it was life or death for pretty much 12 months,” he said.
“Cognitively, my brain is healing and I’m trying to find myself a bit, and work out my priorities in life.
“I want to get back on a motorbike eventually. It’s never going to be as a form of transport again and not as often, but I want to ride at least one more time.”
Recently, Ryan was able to say thank you in person to one of the paramedics who helped save his life.
“The paramedics showed me more love and compassion than you can expect from anybody. They didn’t give up on me and that’s something you can’t ask for,” he said.
He urged other motorbike riders to ride safely, not only for their sake but for those around them.
“Consider the value of your relationships before you ride, because you are always taking a risk going out on a bike,” Ryan said.
“Adjust your behaviour to do everything you can to make sure you come home safely to your loved ones.
“If you take a high risk, you’re not really the only one taking it. It will impact everyone around you if something goes wrong.”
TAC CEO Tracey Slatter said tragically, motorcycle riders are overrepresented in road trauma.
“Motorcyclists face significantly higher risks when incidents occur on the roads, so it is essential that both drivers and riders take shared responsibility for road safety and play their part in protecting one another,” she said.
Learn more about staying safe on a motorbike on the TAC website.