Sad ride home

The Charleston Gazette - Gallery: Biker falls from bridge 

I went to cash my paycheck yesterday evening then ran down to fuel up. On my way back I cross the 36th St bridge to get home and traffic was backed up on the bridge. My through lane was open mostly other than the cages coming over since the entrance ramp was blocked. I figured just another wreck since the weather changed here a little (people forget how to drive no matter which way the weather goes).

When I got up to where I could see, I could see tons of EMS Rides but no twisted cars. That got me thinking it must have been a bike and was below the retaining wall. I watched them load this guy in the ambulance. I couldn't have been more than 15minutes behind this guy.

According to the news on TV last night he was talking to the EMS when they arrived. He survived atleast for a while, haven't heard anything more about him yet. He took a 40-45 foot fall with his bike and lived. Had he done this more like 4:30 or 5:00 he would have been royally screwed by work traffic. He went over just before rush hour traffic started in that area. I am sure he could use any prayers or moral support we can muster for him.

This bridge killed a boy last year, it is in the caption of one of the pics on the link. More reason I don't much care for the crotch rocket crowd. Last year's guy was riding with "buddies" who ran off and left him after he went over the bridge. Didn't stop, call police, nothing, just rode on little punk bastards.

To my knowledge I don't know this fella from yesterday, as they haven't released a name. None of my friends have called to ask if I heard about Ol' So-in-so, so I guess my buds are ok (seen most of them at bike night last night). So :cheers: here's one to this guy and his family/friends, in hopes he makes a complete speedy recovery. Also hope he don't let this stop him from riding.

How is it that people keep falling off the bridge? I hope he's OK, although it looks like it will be a long recovery. I'm impressed that he was talking to the paramedics. Must be a tough dude.

It's always scary when stuff like that happens right in front of you.

Checking through other news links here seems he may well still be alive. Said he was in cridical condition. Given the fall he took he is one lucky dude to still be on this side of the grass. I am trying to follow this story pretty closely since I was so close behind when it happened.

The part that confuses me is he went over the indside of the curve. Not like he slid out of the curve and climbed the outer wall. The other kid did the same dang thing. I think I will find another way on the interstate other than that ramp now. Two in as many years, nah I will take the long way home LOL. May even write to DOT to see if they are looking into that bridge and why it likes bikers so well.