Just found this email about Nik having an accident:
Nik's got broken ribs, broken collarbone, lump on the head and is no doubt black and blue and as stiff as a board. If you're in the area, he's in Addenbrookes hospital (Cambridge), ward C7 for the next day or two at least
Someone riding with him has also posted how it happened, and by all accounts he's very lucky believe it or not 
Docca, you work here don't you?
Get well soon mate
To those of you I haven't met...Ullo To those of you who know me...Ullo
My name is Nick...'lil' Nick.
I was out with Nik yesterday as he was riding my bike and I was riding his TDR. I got a grandstand view of the whole thing....and was also collected by a BMW 5 series as I came to a stop.
Don't get me wrong I aint letting you know to boast or anything....far from it....I'm still trying to get over it and in a perverse way talking about it helps....so bear with me.
Basically he went to overtake a car that was slowing down (I'm still a bit hazy about the hole incident as it all happened in about 5secs) as he pulled out to overtake the car started veering towards the centre of the road, he shut off, hit the brakes, locked up, back touched down again, gave a little slapper and sent him into the oncoming car. The car must have still been a fair way down the road from him as the impact was on the near side front.........ie meaning that it wassn't some last ditch panic move to avoid the oncoming car. Then there was the impact....my bike (Nik was on) exploded as the fuel tank split and came skidding towards my path still in a fire ball. Didn't see where Nik went as I was more concerned with avoiding the M5 infront and the flaming bike. I went for a slip road as there was debris and mud all over the verge. The M5 was breaking in a line on the road, so I nipped up the inside...at the same time the M5 pulled off in to the slip road and collected me as we came to a stop.
When I came to my senses Nik was lying face down the opposite side of the road. I ran to him and...well I aint gonna tell you the rest.
He was soo lucky because it could well have been fatal. Also the Air ambulance was parked 2 fields away so the paramedics were with us within about 5 mins and the air ambulance arrived about 5 mins after that. They ha a motoX day at Wild Tracks so I think that's where the 1st paramedics came from.
The strange thing is that there was no apparent danger whasoever, dry, sunnyish day, light traffic, experienced riders, mechanically sound bikes.
I saw him last night after thewy'd done inital obs and he looked a lot better...although still beaten up. He's got a nasty gash on the back of his head (about 3 or 4 inches up from the base of his skull) about 5€ across which I cant understand how he got it as he had his helmet on when I got to him...its quite deep although (doctors speak) superficial, broken ribs at the back, bruised lungs, gravel rash up one leg, broken collarbone and a chipped vertibrea and half of Red Lodge verge side dirt in all the cuts.
Anyways...now you know.....and I'm sitting here starting to shake at the thought of it.
The important thing is that it appears he's settled and out of danger....and more importantly still with us with all his faculties intact (well no worse than he was before).
Ill going up to see him tomorrow...so if anyone wants to email me at niquem@ntlworld.com , I'll print them out and take them up there tomorrow.
Take care y'all....and remember even if you are going out for a 10 min spin...as we were....don't forget your leathers.
Lil Nick
www.leechaplin.co.uk mobile paint repairs, wheels, plastic welding for bikes, vans and cars 5% discount for VDers
www.sachanovak.com Kick arse rock band for hire
Small willy - big bike
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