Content creator NightShiftRider, who shares motorbiking content on TikTok and Instagram, shared his experience after a serious road traffic incident that left him with a broken leg and concussion. The Dorset and Somerset Air Ambulance team were tasked to the incident where they assisted on scene before he was taken to Poole Hospital by ambulance. He has since shared his story to raise awareness and thank those who helped that day.

A routine ride that changed everything

I was on my way to work just like any other day. I had opted for the scenic route, following Sugar Hill and the quiet road between the fields, avoiding the traffic of Bere Regis, as I usually do. Just as I was slowing down to take a right turn a car came from behind, impacting my right side, and breaking my leg. I was thrown through the air, and my head hit the ground. I ended up face down in the road, suffering from a bad concussion. I believe I was knocked unconscious for around 5-10 seconds.

Waking up without answers

Unfortunately, I have next to no memory of the incident itself, or most of the day. I don’t remember leaving for work that morning, or the ride there. My earliest memories were when I woke up in Poole Hospital at around 10pm. It was here that I saw my leg in a cast and the confusion set in. I could only piece the story together from news and messages people had sent. When I finally looked at my phone, the flood of messages was overwhelming, and learning more about what had happened to me that way was what I found truly scary.

I do know, however, that I was conscious for most of the incident. I was told that I was joking with the paramedics and doctors, which sounds like something I would do - making light of a bad situation. My memory was obviously affected as I kept asking what happened to me, even though I had already been told and I kept phoning people repeatedly to tell them what happened, even though I had already spoken to them. 

Emergency surgery and a long road to recovery

I was in hospital for five days where I underwent IM (intramedullary) nail surgery. This is a procedure to fix broken long bones, by inserting a metal rod into the hollow centre of the bone; I now have a titanium rod in my right leg.

Recovery felt long at the time, but now it feels like time flew by. I managed to achieve a lot during that period – from working at our biggest event of the year, to planning my best friend’s stag do, travelling to New York for his wedding, and managing to perform my role as ring bearer without crutches, I didn’t let my injury stop me. I even drove a tank for the very first time while my leg was still broken, something the instructor told me he’d never seen anyone do in over a decade of working there.

Returning to the road

I have now restored my bike and started riding again. However, when I finally rode back down the road where the incident happened, I felt a physical unease, especially when Ieaning to the right, approaching the same turn where the impact occurred. I’ve returned to work, but I am still relearning how to walk properly and continue regular physiotherapy sessions at Lymington Hospital.

Considering what happened, I feel very lucky that my injuries were not even worse and want to say a huge thank you to DSAA’s amazing team and everyone who helped on that day.

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Every mission attended by the charity is funded by supporters. Without public donations, the emergency medical care delivered at the roadside simply wouldn’t be possible.

Next: Joanna's Story