Gascoyne Cup Gascoyne Junction Saturday August 22 2015

[Cookie]

Hello to all, 6 of us returned top Perth this afternoon following a great 4 days away

Passed though Murchison on Thursday and then Saturday on the return trip.

[BillB]

Nev and Tom checking out one of the numerous creek crossings


Coastal scenery on the way home South of Carnavon

[BillB]

We have just been notified that Snagger Tom had a bit of an off near Mt Augustus and broke his pelvis and other things. He is now in RPH and will be transferred to FSH soon. We wish Tom all the best for his recovery. Unfortunately his new F800 GSA is a bit beat up
I am sure we will hear from Tom what happened.

[jono]

That's bad news Bill, if you're in touch with G please let us know when Tom is moved and how he is doing?

[jls]

Geez
Glad your ok
Will try and drop in to RPH to catch up
All the best and mend quickly

[Robbo]

Sorry to hear this news Snaga, and wish you a complete and speedy recovery.
Robbo.

[Digger]

Damn....wish I was there to capture the footage.

Seriously though; get well soon.

[spacey1]

Just got off the phone to Snagga in RPH. it's good to hear him (and Gill) are still in great spirits
I was thinking what must have been going through his mind, when in the middle of mostly nowhere, he's laying in the bush off the track and his only link to safety just rode past.

An explanation of my response to digger's comment.

Tongue in cheek > "You're starting to sound like a Channel Seven TV cammo, digger"

Like a typical TV journo looking for that tear jerking shot, Tongue in cheek ... "How do you feel, snagga? Laying 15 feet off the track in the bush, and hearing your riding buddies ride past without noticing you're there" What was going through your mind at that very moment

Like a typical TV journo looking for that tear jerking shot, Tongue in cheek ... "Lay still will ya, I need to get the shot"

Ergo, no negative connotations or innuendo intended...

[Bozo]

Snaga

Sorry to hear about your off and the extent of your injuries. Good to know that you are in good hands and on the way to recovery.

Bozo

[Swampy]

Snaga,
So glad to hear you are okay(Figuratively speaking) Ouch I feel your pain

Man you will do anything to avoid going back to work eh?

Get better soon and with all those nurses doting on you, Are we to expect a new decollettage appearing soon?

All the best to to you and Gill mate.

Regards

Swampy

[Swampy]

May be some spare parts for a F800GSA coming up for sale soon eh Snag's?

Don't worry mate I'm sure Ahab could well be in the market for some odd bits and pieces

PS: Guess we can be grateful it wasn't the old 1200 looking for a soft (Snaga Type) landing

Swampy

[Paddy7]

Tom, as I always say.

I would rather die out in the great aussie outdoors than in a nursing home.

Dont lose your zest for life.

Hope you have a smooth recovery.

Cheers

Patrick

[Hugh.Jars]

I did manage 7 broken ribs cupla yrs ago and 1earlier this year ...
i cant see how you get out of bed and stand up for at least 4weeks.
ps dont cough., no laffing an whatever you do dont sneeze.
i cringed when i read about you .. you should be good in 3months .. ish
oh . .... and youl have abs of steel ... compensating for lack other no functional muscle
wishing you the best

[_Wilks]

To make sure some peoples imagination don't get ahead of reality (Nev!) here are some facts - with assistance from my GPS track log.

We departed Mt Augustus 2.02pm.
I was in the lead, then Phil (R1200GSA), Tom (F800GSA), Brenton (HPN1000) and Dren (HP2 1200).
I stopped at Dooley Downs homestead (abandoned) at 2.38pm to check everyone was OK and comfortable with riding the track.
My av speed was 67kmh
Re-started from Dooley Downs at 2.40pm
I encountered an old couple in a 4WD on a sharp curve at 2.55pm
I stopped and asked them to take care as there were 4 more riders behind me.
They agreed and were happy that I gave them that info.
I stopped again at 3.05pm for a regroup.
Phil pulls up seconds later with a big grin on his face (obviously enjoying the track).
A couple of minutes later Brenton arrives with a shocked look on his face, yelling 'where's Tom'.
We all turn around and ride back slowly, in 1st or 2nd gear, anxiously scouring every meter of the roadside and beyond.
(Later that night, Brenton and Dren spoke about having a sick feeling in their stomach whilst searching for Tom - feeling they had failed him)
16 kms later we arrive at the crash site.
Tom's description earlier covers everything from there.

Whilst we were waiting for medical assistance to arrive, the lady passenger in the 4WD (which I had stopped) described that she ONLY began looking out to the side after 3 bikes had passed them but not a 4th. Shortly after, she spotted Tom. So, whilst we are all very grateful for the efforts of the 4WD couple, Tom was not spotted by them in fairly short time by chance. Common sense (warning oncoming drivers) and good group ride management (more regular stops in those conditions) delivered that outcome. [edit - this para was provided in response to Spacey1's comment that Tom was lucky to have the 4WD'ers see him, with some type of negative implication towards his fellow riders. Instead of posting an apology for his incorrect assumption, a retraction or thanks for the clarification, he has now chosen to delete that comment from his post. Poor form Nev.]

As for following riders not noticing Toms crash, please understand the riding terrain at that specific point. It was uphill to a sharp corner at the crest. The corner was off-camber and had a lot of loose stone. Tom and his bike came to rest approx 6 metres off the road on a downward slope away from the track. Any rider negotiating that bend would be concentrating on their own bike control at that exact time and not looking off to the sides admiring the scenery... or looking for fallen riders. The fact that Tom crashed there gives the obvious clue as where ones attention would be.

Here are the GPS coordinates for the curious among you. 24° 2'37.78"S and 117° 8'56.47"E.

Tom - the photos I took are for you mate. I won't post them here. Can you text me your email address and I'll send the photos as well as a photo of all your gear which we strapped up and bundled together in a semi-secure way at Mt Augustus. Hopefully the gear in the photo matches what gets delivered to you in due course.

[Swampy]

Hi Snaga,
My question is: How are you going to recover your bike and gear from Mt. Augustas?

If it is going to be taken care of by your insurance fine and good but if not I am willing to assist as I have a 4WD if you are able to access a suitable trailer and are willing to pay for my accomodation and fuel expenses?

So sorry if that sounds a little mercenary but I am willing to donate the time and effort required for the recovery but I'm unfortunatly not in a position to pay for the expenses involved as much as I would like to be able to help you out in this your unfortunate situation.

Over to you mate, You know how to contact me if you wish.

Regards

Swampy