Thread: Phuket Holiday Ends in Tragedy as Helmetless British Man Crashes Motorcycle

Originally Posted by koman

Originally Posted by Jimmu

Helmets do NOT save your life in a head on crash. Research and the latest data shows this to be a myth. Many jurisdictions are now repealing helmet legislation. If you crash and smack your head up against a tree for example, your head stops but your brain does not. Result; your brain is mush inside what is suggested would be your perfectly preserved cranium. Not to mention possibly a broken neck. I have been a motorcyclist (Biker) all my conciderable life and prefer to see and hear what is around me. I have friends who are disabled, because they wore a helmet. Anyway! Have you looked at what they call a helmet in this country? Don't make me laugh!

Helments are not likely going to save your life in a serious head on crash and nobody has ever claimed that they would. They can however save you from head injuries and maybe save your life or prevent you from being a vegetable if you have a minor accident and just hit the road with your head or something similar. Many people have been seriously injured in minor bike accidents because an unprotected head does not do well hitting concrete even at very low speed.

What jurisdictions have repealed helmet legislation?? Have never heard of even one....In most Western countries they would get their ass sued off the first time someone was seriously injured or killed because of such a regressive act. This is the same kind of BS argument that suggests that "speed does not Kill" or "smoking is not really bad for your health...I know a guy who lived to 96 and he smoked all his life" or "seatbelts and air bags are not necessary" etc etc.......and yes the cheap helmets they sell in corner stores acround Thailand are not much better than a baseball cap....but you can buy a good one if your not a typical cheap farang with denial problems... which a great many seem to be....

Yes! I know there will always be doubters that follow the old line. I am not the one that did the research but it has been done (by different agencies). Michigan, Arkansas, Northern Territory have repealed (as have others). Florida exempted adults. 20 States weakened their helmet laws to young riders. Israel is in the process. Ireland is discussing it. There is a strong lobby from MAG & BMF in the UK close to winning the argument. And so on! Just cause you ain't heard of it makes me think you don't know a lot about it!
Because something has been told ad infinitum does not make it correct! As for suing, that is about as fallacious as most of your other emotional argument. You may well want to wear a helmet, so please feel free to do so. I and many of my biker community prefer not to. I have covered between 10 & 15 thousand miles per year for around 45 years and half of those without a lid. The reason I have been forced to wear one at all is because of people like you. Keep the rubber side down!

Originally Posted by Jimmu

Originally Posted by koman

Originally Posted by Jimmu

Helmets do NOT save your life in a head on crash. Research and the latest data shows this to be a myth. Many jurisdictions are now repealing helmet legislation. If you crash and smack your head up against a tree for example, your head stops but your brain does not. Result; your brain is mush inside what is suggested would be your perfectly preserved cranium. Not to mention possibly a broken neck. I have been a motorcyclist (Biker) all my conciderable life and prefer to see and hear what is around me. I have friends who are disabled, because they wore a helmet. Anyway! Have you looked at what they call a helmet in this country? Don't make me laugh!

Helments are not likely going to save your life in a serious head on crash and nobody has ever claimed that they would. They can however save you from head injuries and maybe save your life or prevent you from being a vegetable if you have a minor accident and just hit the road with your head or something similar. Many people have been seriously injured in minor bike accidents because an unprotected head does not do well hitting concrete even at very low speed.

What jurisdictions have repealed helmet legislation?? Have never heard of even one....In most Western countries they would get their ass sued off the first time someone was seriously injured or killed because of such a regressive act. This is the same kind of BS argument that suggests that "speed does not Kill" or "smoking is not really bad for your health...I know a guy who lived to 96 and he smoked all his life" or "seatbelts and air bags are not necessary" etc etc.......and yes the cheap helmets they sell in corner stores acround Thailand are not much better than a baseball cap....but you can buy a good one if your not a typical cheap farang with denial problems... which a great many seem to be....

Yes! I know there will always be doubters that follow the old line. I am not the one that did the research but it has been done (by different agencies). Michigan, Arkansas, Northern Territory have repealed (as have others). Florida exempted adults. 20 States weakened their helmet laws to young riders. Israel is in the process. Ireland is discussing it. There is a strong lobby from MAG & BMF in the UK close to winning the argument. And so on! Just cause you ain't heard of it makes me think you don't know a lot about it!
Because something has been told ad infinitum does not make it correct! As for suing, that is about as fallacious as most of your other emotional argument. You may well want to wear a helmet, so please feel free to do so. I and many of my biker community prefer not to. I have covered between 10 & 15 thousand miles per year for around 45 years and half of those without a lid. The reason I have been forced to wear one at all is because of people like you. Keep the rubber side down!

Well, if you are correct, please post a link to some information with credibility.
I spend 35 years dealing with the results of automobile and motorbike accidents.... (up to four years ago) and I've never heard of such a thing, In fact the legislation is getting more stingent if anything...at least in the civilized world.

Can anyone in their right mind actually believe that hitting your fucking head on the road bare headed is better than wearing a well designed helmet???

So again, please link us to the "research" and results. I for one am curious to know the results and what "agencies" produced them.

This can Happen to any one of US!

Be careful and enjoy your life.

Helmets, jock straps, condoms, covers, insurance, lawyers, marriage, divorce, surgery, good hospitals, public transport, Makro, Tesco Lotus, euphoria, clean food, bar fines, weather, expensive beer, clear frame of mind, fine wine, good scotch, and toilet paper do not guarantee a safe ride home on the scooter.

Originally Posted by The_Ghost_Of_The_Moog

Originally Posted by socal

Originally Posted by LooseBowels

Very sad story, sounds a decent fellow, but nobody to blame but himelf.

Just fortunate he didnt take anyone else with him.

he didnt plan on crashing asshole.

Its a good stretch of road heading that way if you are on a street bike. Lots of long hills..

LB is likely referring to the 'helmetless' citation in the headline, Socal.

Yeah i know... But 98% of the time, you will be fine without a helmet. And allot of riders die even when they have one on.

Originally Posted by Bogon

Originally Posted by socal

he didnt plan on crashing asshole.

Not many people do actually plan on crashing, but they still wear helmets and protective clothing.

Translation^ Not many people do actually plan on crashing but they still plan on crashing...(wear helemet)

On my last trip to Hanoi directly in front of me a guy collided with another motorbike and landed head first into the pavement. Sounded like a gun going off when his head smashed into that pavement.

I was walking by the way, Fuker just layed there twitching, he was well foked.

Only cock suckers make an argument for not wearing a helmet.

Stop using motorbikes and cars. Stop using mobile phones. Stop fueling the corrupt system. Stop using oil. Open your eyes.



RIP dead guy.

I have never seen any constructive case against not wearing a crash helmet...ridden bikes most of my life as well and have never ridden one without a helmet...and gloves...even in Thailand....However, the average helmet sold in Thailand is bloody useless and offers less than no protection at all...except for very minor accidents...and then only if the strap is correctly fastened....

Crash helmets are not designed to save your head if you decide to hit an obstacle head-on...at speed...but at least it stops others from having to sweep up your brains afterwards...they do however, significantly reduce the risk of being killed when you fall off your bike ....doesn't take much of a "bang" on the old nut to make you go gaga or earn your wings...

My sympathies for the chap who was killed...so easy to be knocked off a bike or make a mistake...sober or otherwise...and all too easy to do as everyone else does and not bother with a helmet.

As for gloves, although not legally required, I wouldn't dream of riding without them...hands are far too precious to lose the use off...and easily damaged in even minor accidents...

Originally Posted by The_Ghost_Of_The_Moog

Originally Posted by socal

Originally Posted by LooseBowels

Very sad story, sounds a decent fellow, but nobody to blame but himelf.

Just fortunate he didnt take anyone else with him.

he didnt plan on crashing asshole.

Its a good stretch of road heading that way if you are on a street bike. Lots of long hills..

LB is likely referring to the 'helmetless' citation in the headline, Socal.

Indeed Moog, he made the decision to make the journey without the helmet.

And I'm sure his friends and family wished he had worn it.

Clunk click every trip.

Originally Posted by terry57

On my last trip to Hanoi directly in front of me a guy collided with another motorbike and landed head first into the pavement. Sounded like a gun going off when his head smashed into that pavement.

I was walking by the way, Fuker just layed there twitching, he was well foked.

Only cock suckers make an argument for not wearing a helmet.

I have a confession to make... They didn't have full face helmets available the last time I rented a crotch rocket in phuket. So I just waited till later In the evening and went on half pissed runs from patong to kamala. Regular helmets are a fucking hazard if you go over 100kph because they flip back and joke u or they flip forward and blind u. So I had to wait till the cops where sleeping.

Originally Posted by socal

ranslation^ Not many people do actually plan on crashing but they still plan on crashing...(wear helemet)

Wrong again dude.
Many people wear hemlets because it's the law. Even if you like it or not, you do not have a choice in the matter but to wear a lid.
The decision to wear one is taken out of your hands in most countries pal.

Originally Posted by Bogon

Many people wear hemlets because it's the law. Even if you like it or not, you do not have a choice in the matter but to wear a lid.

Thats the only reason I wear a seatbelt in the UK hate the bastard things

Originally Posted by IceSpike

The Phuket News - Thursday, 24th Nov 2011 11:26

PHUKET: A British expat died last night (Wednesday) after crashing his motorcycle near Phuket Fantasea in Kamala.

Jason Richards, 40, was riding home from The Aussie Bar in Kamala when the crash occurred.

In a cruel twist of fate, Mr Richards was a good friend of Steve ‘Tommo’ Thomas, the former British Royal Marine who is recovering in hospital in Wales after being involved in a motorbike accident in Phuket in September. The two men went through school together.

Mr Richards had been living in Udon Thani, in Thailand’s northeast, for the past three years, and came to Phuket only when he learned of Tommo’s accident after reading it in the news.

Ex-Royal marine returns from the brink of death after suffering horrific brain damage in Thailand
25 Aug 2013

Former 42 Commando Lance Corporal Steve Thomas of Newport tells of his astonishing recovery after he was found with massive head injuries in the middle of a Thai road.


Ex-royal Marine Steve Thomas has made a remarkable recovery after he suffered serious injuries in Phuket, Thailand

Ex-Royal marine Steve Thomas was on the brink of death when he was found with massive head injuries in the middle of a Thai road.

Doctors warned his family if the former 42 Commando lance corporal ever recovered he would never walk or talk again because of the horrific brain damage he suffered.

But two years later the former soldier has spoken for the first time about his astonishing road to recovery, belief he was the victim of a vicious robbery and his determination to get better every day.

“They said I had a bad accident,” the 41-year-old WalesOnline.

“But I was attacked.”

He was discovered lying in the road on September 5, 2011, but had no cuts on his hands or face – as might have been found on a crash victim.

But the dad-of-two was rushed to Bangkok Hospital in Phuket with a broken jaw.

And the Bluebird fan’s cheek was shattered and his head cracked open.

His eye socket was wrecked.

A fracture ran from it, over the top of his head, and to the back of his skull. His neck was broken.

The martial arts expert – who now walks slowly with a stick – has no memory of what happened.

After the incident he suffered three brain haemorrhages and was left with severe brain damage.


Steve Thomas during his time in the army

This has left the former soldier with partial paralysis.

Talking and walking are difficult.

His right hand is weak. He is blind in his right eye.

“My speech is not very good but my brain is working all the time, a hundred to the dozen,” Steve said.

“I’m working on that and have speech therapy once a week. It’s very good.

“Only time will tell if it will make a difference. I’m feeling fine about it because I’m lucky to be alive.”

He was left unconscious after the incident, which happened near the Wat Chalong Buddhist temple, near the southern tip of the island.

“It sent me into a coma,” Steve said.

“My memory is very bad now but it is getting a lot better. I still don’t know what happened to me. Maybe in time I will, but now I don’t.”


Steve Thomas with son Llewelyn and mum Linda Gardiner

His mum Linda Gardiner, who lives with her son in Newport, recalled the family’s horror when they realised what had happened.

“When my husband got in touch with a doctor in Thailand he was told it was really serious and that if he was not moved from the hospital he was in he was going to die,” the 59-year-old said.

“I was just numb and shocked and devastated.

“I didn’t know what we were going to face or what condition Steve was in.”

Linda, who runs a bedroom company in Cardiff, booked a flight to Phuket.

“I was over there for six weeks with him and Allan was there for three weeks,” she said.

Allan is her husband, Steve’s stepdad.

“It was costing £1,200 a day in this private hospital,” the mum-of-one and grandmother-of-four said.

“So we needed funds.”

The Marines and the British Legion helped. So did family and friends.

“The bill was over £40,000,” Linda said.

“And then there was the flight home as well. We were quoted over £100,000 to bring him home.”

Her boy, a grandfather-of-one, was on Phuket tackling Somali pirates.

He doesn’t think his work was behind the assault. After the attack £300 he had in his wallet was gone.

His family were amazed by his recovery.

“It’s a miracle,” Linda said. Only in time did I realise how serious it was.

“I didn’t realise the extent of the brain injuries. I had no understanding of brain injury and had no idea of how severe it would be.

“But he has done marvellously.”

Steve agreed.

“They said I would be in a vegetative state,” he said.

“I put my recovery down to my fighting spirit. And my mother, my children and my close team.”

Steve returned to the UK on October 20, 2011. He was taken into intensive care at Newport’s Royal Gwent.

On November 24 he transferred to the city’s St Woolos hospital. He left there on March 16 last year.

Since then he has been working with neuro physiotherapists Sarah Candy and Jakko Brouwers.

They have been using state of the art equipment to get Steve in shape at Newport’s specialist Morrello Clinic.

The family have little hope of catching his attackers.

“We have spent our time moving forward rather than going back and wasting money trying to find someone we may never find,” Linda said.

Steve is spending time working on his balance.

“I’m not the best now but I am recovering every day,” Steve said.

“I will do more tomorrow and I will do more the day after.”

It was “remarkable” Steve had come so far.

“We are so pleased because it could have been so different,” Linda said.

“He might not have been able to walk or talk. He could have been permanently in a wheelchair, but he is not.”

walesonline.co.uk

Just this minute saw Farang zapped by minibus in Jomtien- minibus was indicating to turn on a Uturn- guy overtakes- goes straight into the minibus- no lid- think he was OK?
Earlier pulling out of my condo- prat- no lid- coming wrong way down the road.

Mate not so long ago- rented an older Vios- no air bags or even ABS- take it back! No he said more people are killed by air bags.
Mmm that's why my car in the UK has front, side and even bags built into the seats!

What is the matter with these people?

Originally Posted by Mid

Her boy, a grandfather-of-one, was on Phuket tackling Somali pirates.

Sure he was.

I always wear a helmet which I bring from my home country.

Why bump an old thread about some dead guy and put it in there ?

Originally Posted by Dillinger

Why bump an old thread about some dead guy and put it in there ?

the answer is in the post that continued the thread aka post #40 .