The General

I got a text from Kevin this morning. He has a fractured finger and his stomach is bleeding. They are evaluating the need for surgery on his stomach. Playing the waiting game for now but is doing ok considering.

My best wishes to Jack and the support riders who were injured.
Marty

Thank You Marty!

Hope everyone heals quickly!

Karen

  Get Better Soon Kevin and Jack!!!!! Do what the Doctor says!!!  😉 🙂

So sorry to hear about Kevin and Jack and Danny!
Sounds like it was a horrible get off. Lucky all will see another day on their bikes with the help of friends!
Kevin at the time at the track did feel like he could make it home...but as he is driving, losing blood he becomes incapacitated...

Buddy system...if we could all have a track buddy to come and go with just in case...
Like I am a fine one to talk...but don't think it didn't cross my mind every time I left home.

Just told a fellow rider she should not come to GH National alone.  "Don't do it"...find a ride and stay with me but no driving down there alone.
She is not but did as I encouraged. Just because...you just never know...

It is hard when we all live at different ends of the earth to always have a buddy...but in a perfect world...I would never leave home without mine!

Thank you to all of you for taking care of each other...

Just got back from the hospital.  Kevin is the same, smart a$$, Kevin as always...just in a gown! Which sort of works for him.  They are still monitoring him, but it looks like they'll run some tests and X-rays tonight, and if all is good he'll be discharged tomorrow.  That's the word as I know it.
Steve

thanks for the update hope your home soon take care kevin ill find you next time so we can finally meet

Sure glad to hear Kevin is stable and possibly going home tomorrow.  Keeping my fingers cross.

Does anybody know how Jack is doing?

I got a message from Kevin's and my Ridgecrest friend Mike Burnette that Jack has a broken wrist that will need surgery, scheduled for tomorrow.  Haven't heard anything other than that.  They have neighboring rooms in the hospital and have talked.  Thanks Steve and Marty for the updates on Kevin and they both will be back, though not real soon.

I sure hope you 3 guys heal up quickly.
Jack is going into surgery tomorrow morning.
So sad.

  When these crashes happen I would like to again stress going to the foam shop and getting the stuntmen's foam.
I know we are not per say stunt men. But if that safety equipment can help minimize the impact of the crash why not?
It's cheap and it raises the chest protector off of the body and helps to absorb impact. The chest protectors are hard plastic and really only designed to stop roost.

  From experience I had the same crash at Star West 2 years ago when I ran into Ron Verbeek and his motorcycle laid down at the landing of the double. I know what it feels like and the foam was an instrumental saver.

This is a new idea to me Chris.  I may need to check out how you have this setup?

Just wanted to give an update, I am home from the hospital. Just bruised up and sore as hell. The major injury was some damage to my intestines that the severity  will not be known until further tests, however The bleeding has stopped.

I want to thank each and everyone of my gang family members for the thoughts, prayers and physical help givien during this ordeal.

This was definitely a learning experience for me as far as acccepting help from people, my decision to try to drive was a very dumb one. In this case it turned out ok, but if I had passed out while driving I could have involved innocent people with my poor decision to drive home.

See everyone soon, I will be at Glen Helen.....just spectating.

Kevin.

Glad you are ok Kevin.

Thanks for posting Kevin!

So happy to hear you are doing better.  You and Jack and Danny scared the crap out of all of us!

Don't do it again 😀

Very good Kevin...Thanks for the update...We see you at G.H...Take er easy.
Mike see you at G.H. too.

Jack's surgery went well and he was to be relesed today. I did not talk to him after I left A.V.

First and foremost, I am very happy to hear that the injuries, while disheartening are not ones that will cause permanent disabilities in these two members of the OTHG.  As someone who was seriously injured at the end of 2012 and has missed the entire 2013 season I hate to read stories like this.

As a Fireman/Paramedic, I hate to read stories like this!!!!!  I have seen the effects of an individual believing that they are fine only to severely injure themselves later on!  And while you can not prevent someone from leaving or refusing medical treatment if they are able to answer some basic questions, I feel a better way to approach a scenario like this is through education.

By educating members on the effects of concussions, internal bleeding, etc. members will have a better understanding of why they feel the way that they do after suffering these kinds of injuries.  Does everyone need to go for an ambulance ride after every crash?  I would say no.  However, there are certain crashes that should dictate a ambulance ride.  Knowing which one should receive that emphasis is key for the safety of all members.

As I tell individuals who want to refuse transport by an ambulance, if you don't want to go that's fine.  However, do it for the people who care about you!

I will be returning to the 45 beginner class in 2014, if the OTHG is interested in putting on a very basic EMS class for the members, I would be more than happy to help in any way possible.