Monday 30th September 2002 approx. 6pm ...
I was riding socially with Sue McCarthy (Richard Knight, Barry Woods, and Tim Clarke were ahead around the corner) up the 1/20 (from the Basin to Sassafras).
It was a straight stretch of road and still daylight when a car hit me from behind. I shot into the air like a javelin before hitting the bonnet, flying over the roof, and landing on my head (so I've been told - I was unconscious on impact). Sue threw her bike down and ran over to me (apparently I wasn’t breathing for a few seconds, was unconscious for about 3 minutes, and turned different shades of grey). Fortunately for me Sue is a nurse and was able to do whatever it is that nurses do, to help me. When I woke up I kept asking the same questions over and over: "Can I’ve a drink of water?" to which I heard, "No, you can’t". "Did I get hit by a car?" and someone replied, "Yes you did". "Was it my fault?" and someone said, "No it wasn’t". "Does the driver feel bad?" and she said, "Yes, she feels very bad". (Apparently she was holding my hand). After a pause I’d start again with "Can I’ve a drink of water?".
Next thing I knew an ambulance had arrived and I was being asked where it hurts the most. I just remember saying "my ear, my $^&! ear". They asked me a few questions but I was pretty confused. I didn’t even know what day it was. I was put in the standard ambulance, and then they took me out and put me in a MICA ambulance, and I started to be really concerned when they told me I was being taken to hospital in a helicopter. I thought that if I didn’t die from the injuries caused by the car hitting me, I was surely going to die if this helicopter crashed (I didn’t even have a parachute and I couldn’t move). I remember being taken from the helicopter into some emergency room at The Alfred and having my cycling clothes cut off me. I remember Tara (the nurse) telling me not to let the TV cameras bother me (which was later shown on "A Current Affair"). I also remember the CT scan and having staples put in my forehead and head.
Apart from my sprained ankles, scraped and bruised knees, sore neck, damaged ear, and head injuries I was fine. No broken bones and no brain damage. I was in hospital for 7 nights, during which time the plastic surgeons repaired my ear, I had an MRI (which showed soft tissue damage to my neck), and I had the staples removed from my head.
I had over 50 people visit me in hospital and I am most thankful. There are many people I would like to thank for their support, visits and get well cards: Sue McCarthy, Richie Knight, Steeley & family, Barry Woods & Kylie, Tim Clarke, Emily Phillips, Brad Alcock, Rowan Geddes, Richard England, Jason Gay, Jamie Goddard, Brian/Louise/Sean Bourke, Kirsty Bortolin, Sonic, and anyone else I have missed. You are all great friends and I thank you for your help. I am having an amazing recovery and I’ll be back on the bike in no time.
Steve Martin.