On Track to Recovery

When father of four and experienced mountain bike rider and coach Clinton Williams got on his mountain bike to ride a 20km track at his mate’s property, little did he know that he’d end up in hospital later that night with severe spinal and neck injuries resulting from a head on bike collision.

Pukekohe local of 36 years, Clinton loves living in the community that provides him with the countryside and beaches on his doorstep (enabling him to indulge in his childhood passion of mountain biking). On the fateful day he was riding alongside mates Cris and Pete. The track was in a big valley, 30 metre drops on both sides. Clinton happened to be on one side while Pete was further back on the other. Cris was ahead of them. Pete had accidently taken a wrong turn from his side. Unbeknown to him, he was on a collision path with Clinton on the opposite side. Clinton saw him and, reacting swiftly, he swerved. But it was too late! The collision was inevitable.

With an almighty bang, Clinton’s head hit Pete in the chest. Upon impact, they both fell sideways off their bikes. Both men blacked out momentarily before hitting the ground. This resulted in Pete struggling to breathe, having broken three of his ribs and puncturing his lung. Pain shot through Clinton’s body as he lay on the grass, unable to move. Cris quickly called emergency services for help and soon the Auckland Westpac Rescue Helicopter was on its way. The chopper landed in a nearby paddock after dropping off two Critical Care Paramedics (Will Thompson & Ben Jones). Clinton was swiftly put in a neck brace then, on a stretcher, he was carried through the bottom of the valley and up a steep paddock to the helicopter. He remembers the helicopter starting up and the quick flight to Middlemore. His fiancé Kimmy and her son Oli rushed to the hospital as soon as they heard the news.

Clinton had sustained multiple injuries to his spine, head and neck and was released from hospital after three nights. He had to wear a neck brace for almost eight weeks.

Clinton’s now out of the brace and back at work on light duties. He is still recovering as it will be some time before he's back to full strength. Pete had to also spend four nights in hospital before being released. Clinton says, “This service is amazing and very important to our communities. I don't know what we would do without having the rescue helicopter and its talented crew.” Clinton and Pete want to acknowledge everyone involved. These were Pilot Dan O’Reilly, Air Crew Officer Richard Selby and Critical Care Paramedics Ben Jones and Will Thompson.

‍

‍