Phuket bikers foot sliced off by speeding bike

[zubber]

Sunday, February 7, 2010
http://phuketgazette.net/news/detail.asp?id=8327
Maimed pilot in Phuket: 'I will fly again'

DOWN BUT NOT OUT: Cathay Pacific pilot Scott McDonald hopes a prosthetic foot will enable him to resume his career.

PHUKET TOWN: Cathay Pacific airline pilot Scott McDonald is trying to put his life back together after his lower calf and foot were sliced off by a speeding motorbike in a freak accident in Phuket late last month.

As the American lay bleeding on the pavement, a passerby who witnessed the accident used the victim’s cellphone to call for help – before pocketing the device and fleeing the scene.

Mr McDonald has undergone seven surgeries at Bangkok Hospital Phuket since the accident.

He is hoping a prosthetic calf and foot will allow him to resume his career and continue to indulge in his great love – golf.

The accident happened shortly after midnight on January 24.

Chicago-native McDonald, 43, was heading up Thepkrasattri Road towards his home at Yacht Haven when his cell phone rang.

He stopped his Harley Davidson Fatboy by the side of the road, just north of Blue Canyon Country Club.

Turning the parking light on and still straddling the bike, he answered the cellphone. As he suspected, it was his girlfriend Wan calling to ask him when he would return home.

He told Wan he would be home in ten minutes. “Just as I was saying that, wham. I got slammed from behind. I thought it was a car that hit me, it was so loud.”

What hit the American was a speeding Honda Dream ridden by two Thai men. “I think it was going at at least 100kmh,” Mr McDonald said.

His foot was sliced clean off above the ankle.

“I just remember being thrown and then crawling over as far left as I could on the road because I thought I was gonna get hit by a car now. And from there I don’t really remember a lot. I was in shock,” he said.

Wan was still listening, horrified, on the cellphone. “I heard screaming, ‘Ah! Ah! Ah!’. Then quiet.”

Mr McDonald’s memories of the accident are hazy, though he can remember asking someone who rushed to the scene to call Wan.

After telling Wan where the accident scene was, that person disappeared – with Mr McDonald’s cellphone in hand. It has not been returned.

By the time Wan arrived, Kusoldharm Foundation workers had already taken Mr McDonald to Bangkok Hospital Phuket, where he continues to receive treatment.

He immediately faced the difficult decision of whether to have his foot, now infected, sown back on or surgically amputated above the existing wound.

He decided to follow doctors’ recommendations, choosing amputation.

“The prosthetics they can make are very up to par these days,” he said.

Scott’s employers, Cathay Pacific, have been ‘very, very supportive’, he said.

“They told me just the first or second day afterwards, ‘Remember your career is not over with Cathay Pacific’.”

At the time of writing Mr McDonald, an eight year resident of Phuket, was due to have his leg sown up on February 4. Despite the loss of the foot, he said he still plans to go through with his plan to marry Wan.

The driver of the motorbike that hit Mr McDonald, and his passenger, are receiving treatment at Vachira Hospital Phuket.

Inspector Sarit Budnongsang of Tah Chat Chai Police said an investigation was underway to discover who was at fault.

[WujouMao]

what the hell is a parking light? does it flash on and off like a hazard light on cars

[The Fresh Prince]

Sounds like he's taken it quite well. Bloody awful thing to happen.

[jizzybloke]

Nasty, wish the guy all the best!

[Bung]

i think the parking light on a Harley is the headlight on low beam and tail light on. Sounds like the guys that hit him just didn't see him well enough or weren't paying attention. Really bad luck for the guy involved. Simple thing gone terribly wrong.

[Scandinavian]

Only one thing in this story that buggers me.

Despite the loss of the foot, he said he still plans to go through with his plan to marry Wan.

Umm, so other people would cancel their plans of marriage, because you loose a bit of your body? That makes you somehow, love your woman less?
How would she in any way refuse to marry this pilot, just because he has a piece of wood now on his leg??

[jizzybloke]

Maybe the wedding is not far off, thought about delaying?

[Scandinavian]

Delays suck, better do it right away to prove the love.

[jizzybloke]

Just thinking out loud (typing) i don't know.

Shitty thing tpo happen to anyone and a i said before, all the best to the guy!

[crazy dog]

a passerby who witnessed the accident used the victim’s cellphone to call for help – before pocketing the device and fleeing the scene.

Thais are lovely folk, at least he called for help before stealing the phone

[jizzybloke]

^why is my name on that quote?

[dirtydog]

^why is my name on that quote?

Strange happenings, its because he highlighted the text and then clicked your q quote button.

[FarangRed]

What I dont understand is the section of road it happened is a big wide road with a hard shoulder to the left, I know the story is true coz my friend tell me the day after it happened my mate also lives at the yacht haven is a captain of a boat there what took them so long to report it?

[kingwilly]

Inspector Sarit Budnongsang of Tah Chat Chai Police said an investigation was underway to discover who was at fault.

WTF?

They've collided with another vehicle, fast enough to tear his leg off, but they may not be at fault ?

[Orroz]

As he suspected, it was his girlfriend Wan calling to ask him when he would return home.

He could have done without this unnecessary phone call.

[Bexar County Stud]

Next time just don't answer the Thai GF's nagging "where you go?" cell phone call.

They've collided with another vehicle, fast enough to tear his leg off, but they may not be at fault ?

Struck from behind while on the road shoulder according to the article. Perhaps he should have parked in the middle of the road, as is the local custom.

[The Muffinman]

He should have answered his phone whilst riding at high speed, bloody idiot.

Just goes to show, you never know what's around the corner driving or riding on Thai roads. Have your wits about you at all times out there.

[Travelmate]

unfortunate event for the Harley riding pilot.
At least the employer seem to be understanding to his loss of a right foot.

I presume switching on the parking lights while keeping the bike stationary. Have proven to be fatal. As some Somchai who can't see, plus riding in the dark, barely in control of a scooter. Would have presumed the lights on the vehicle is moving. When in fact he could only tell when he is right upon the Fatboy.

How many Somchai's do you know have taken an eye test?

[Simon43]

Despite the loss of the foot, he says he still plans to go through with his plan to marry Wan...

Strewth! My mad ex is called Wan and she also lives in Phuket!

If he's marrying her then the loss of his foot will be the least of his concerns

Do you I think I should warn him?

Simon

[tuktukdriver]

Too bad he didn't have one of those Bluetooth helmets

[Loy Toy]

Absolutely tragic and one has to wish him all the best and to achieve his life goals.

As for the animal who stole his telephone I hope the bad karma catches up with him.

[blackgang]

I just wonder how he will do on his commercial pilots license tho,, you know both brake and rudders are on the same pedal, brakes on toe, and how the new false ones are to feeling the pressure difference for toe pressure?
I do have a friend that has a wooden leg below the knee and he has a private license, but commercial is different.