At Coonarr Beach (our only local land sailing beach) on Saturday night at around 10:30pm, two local 17 y.o. lads (former primary school mates of my daughter) had a head on collission while riding trail bikes. Present were a group of around 30 family and friends.
Due to difficulties of access and lack of mobile phone coverage, emergency services were not able to attend the site for more than two hours. During this time one of the lads died while attended by friends.
The other lad was transferred to hospital in Brisbane in a critical condition. He died today. Apparently he was an organ donor and up to 17 lives may be saved through his donorship.
Pardon me if I sound like an impersonal reporter. It is intentional as I do not want to get tangled up in the emotional side of it. It is "close to home".
Around this town I see parents putting their kids on trail bikes thinking that it is harmless fun as long as they wear a helmet and some body armour. Little do they know.
A study conducted in the early 70s (when compulsory motor cycle helmets were introduced) found that even when protected by a helmet, the human brain will not survive a sudden impact from 15 kmh.
So I say people, look after your children, they are your only chance at immortality.
A not so Cheery Cisco.
