This is the most complete series we've got so far of the wreck involving Matt Thiede and RJ Meehan, at Bonelli on October 27th. As you may know, Riley walked away scuffed and bruised, but Matt took some nasty injuries, including lacerations and badly broken leg & ankle. His leg and foot have been repaired and he's carrying around a few thousand dollars worth of titanium (or will be when he starts walking around). Matt has asked that we show photos... he wants to see, so here they are.
Special thanks to 'Fish photog Brad Harvey for the alternate angle on the shots. You'll note that there's a gap, and that we don't have "point of impact". This is because both photographers were already pointing lenses at the finish area when we saw the wreck and then swung back over to shoot it.
Coming into the final turn before the line, L-R: Brian Lee, Justin Tolman far left (yellow/black), Matt Thiede, Riley Meehan (black). Video shows Thiede and Meehan come together as they try to get past the haybale you see below them, here. Thiede is half a length ahead when they collide, pivots/slides to his left and into the haybale. Meehan is vaulted over the top of Thiede, toward the center of the road...
Riley's in mid-air here as he goes over the top.
Riley tumbles to the middle of the road, as Matt slides after his impact with the hay and base of the pole. Matt's leathers have a red, mesh lining, which is what you see here.
Matt's spinning around as the haybales come back down.
Tolman's across the line.
The course clears for emergency response as Tolman comes by the cameras.
Larger versions of these photos are in the galleries, for those interested.
Here's a pretty clear video:
__________________ Relax, Don't Worry, Ride Your Longboard.
I just got off the phone with Matt. He sounds really good and appreciates the calls and visitors that he's received. We talked about the incident, how it happend and what we believe caused his injuries. If you haven't already talked to him, please take a few minutes and give him a call!!! His number is 661 565 8013. They still haven't closed up his leg wounds due to swelling. Matt thinks they will do that this afternoon and is hopeful he will be released on Saturday. Matt has a facebook profile so please look him up and give him a friend request. You can find him as "Matt Thiede, Cal Poly 09."
That was not a large enough distance to be brought to a stop like that.
he must have sucked down some serious G forces... ouch.
there's bit's of hay-bale meters in the air...
__________________
It's "skate or die" not "skate and die"—Wear a helmet, use what's in it.
Awesome safeguarding of the course! IGSA needs a safety consultant before the "Corner of Death" race, or that name may be all too fitting. One bale in front of a concrete pole and a dozen in front of Marcus.
Bob and I went back to the scene of the accident on Sunday and really looked closely for any evidence to help us understand what happened. We did not find any evidence showing us that either Matt or Riley actually hit the light pole. Matt went under the catch fence and underneath the straw bale impacting the concrete footing from the light pole. This footing is what we believe caused the injuries to Matt's toes and shin area. The deep wound to Matt's ankle was caused by the leg rest on his boomless luge. It was made from thick aluminum and had a sharp corner that was covered by a pressed on piece of rubber stripping. Upon impact the rubber stripping was ripped off exposing a sharp point that cut Matt's ankle like a knife.
I believe it was Riley who had the biggest impact with the bale. In this case the straw bale did its' job perfectly exploding upon impact, absorbing energy and protecting Riley from the pole. Luckily Riley walked away with nothing more than cuts and bruises. Bob and I both feel terrible seeing any rider get injured. We spend 12-14 man hours the day before each Bonelli event setting up the fencing and straw bales for course safety. After the event it takes another 8-10 man hours to tear it all down. Emergency medical staff is on site for every practice, qualifying and race run. In the case of this incident, they were on the scene and helping Matt in less than one minute. We do this for every one-day race we hold at Bonelli. I think those facts speak volumes about how seriously we take safety.
We've raced at Bonelli Park for three years with an excellent safety record. We always study our course safety and look at ways we can improve it. With what we have learned from this accident, we will make improvements in the future. I would hate to see what would happen if this sort of incident occurred at an outlaw event...
I have spoken with Matt and his Mom and we've received praise and thank you's from both of them. They've expressed their gratitude for the effort we put forward and our dedication to safety. That means more to us than any of you could ever know... Fortunately it looks like Matt will be racing again in the future. For that we are very thankful!
This is a gruesome photo of Matt's luge taken just after the accident by Chris Chaput. I'm posting it because a lot can be learned.
Notice how the press on rubber molding that was protecting the leg rest has been pulled away. A sharp knife edge was left unprotected and caused a severe laceration of about 20cm/8" long to Matt's right ankle. You can see how the blood has sprayed in all directions from this point. Also notice how the taped on bumper has been ripped away from the front of the channel leaving the sharp edge completely exposed. Fortunately this did not appear to make contact with either Matt or Riley.
This should be a wake up call to everyone! Make sure you don't have any sharp, exposed edges and securely fasten all bumpers and other padding/protection to ensure it won't be ripped off in a crash!
Awesome safeguarding of the course! IGSA needs a safety consultant before the "Corner of Death" race, or that name may be all too fitting. One bale in front of a concrete pole and a dozen in front of Marcus.
Start working or stop flaming
talking trash everyone is able to, bringing the thing forward only a few have the balls
I wasn't at the event and I am not going to comment on how or why it happened.
I do have a few things about Streetluge Safety. A few years back it was a big concern about Streetluge evolving into the Boomless Luge. Many people had their opinions and I am one that still believes we should not allow Boomless luges. I believe this injury could have been averted if Matt and RJ had booms on their luges. They might of had some different injuries but most likely not a shattered leg. Boomless does have it advantages, such as the hooking up factor. But I believe the boom out weighs the boomless.
What’s going to happen at these outlaw races everyone is having? No bales, No medics, No safety basically at all. We all need to learn from each and every accident so the sport can continue to get safer and safer. Don't talk crap about what should have been done, or how many bales are in front of the scoring booth. Have constructive criticism and ideas. Its just funny how there is always a jack ass in the crowd. Get out of your box and come up with ideas. Be proactive, show up to the event early and give them help with the set up of the course. That's the best way to give your ideas. Don't just sit on you ass and then when something happens complain about it.
I commend Bob and Marcus about how they are handling this. They have spent countless hours talking about the accident and how they can learn from it. Accidents are going to happen no matter how much time and effort goes into designing a course. The important thing is that IGSA continues to learn and grow. I worked with IGSA on the set up of Maryhill and IGSA knows what they are doing in course set up. We had numerous crashes in the bales and not one injury from hitting bales.
The Meehan/Thiede Wreck at Bonelli
Re: The Meehan/Thiede Wreck at Bonelli
