Tragic loss: Mille rider in Scotland

[RSV_Ecosse]

A group of us in Scotland from the Bikers Oracle RSV forums have been getting together this summer for ride-outs.

On one yesterday evening, one of our friends, Craig, was tragically killed in a collision with a 4 wheel drive vehicle.

Although I had only met him a handful of times, Craig was a fantastic guy and an accomplished rider. He was one of the nicest blokes you could hope to meet.

Craig was a Paramedic and we both found a sort of common bond very quickly with myself being in the Fire Service. In his job, he gave an immeasurable amount to the public and his community and was highly regarded and respected by his workmates and everyone else who knew him.

Although I've witnessed many road accidents, I'm finding this one is not something I can deal with easily.

He will be sorely missed.

My heart goes out to Claire his wife and all his family, friends and collegues in the Scottish Ambulance Service in Tayside.

There is a thread over on the Bikers Oracle RSV section if anyone wishes to leave their condolences:-

http://www.bikersoracle.com/rsv/forum/showthread.php?t=5591

RIP Craig.........you will be forever in our thoughts and memories mate.

[ZeroTwoRSV]

So very sad. RIP.

[DTA76114]

RIP!!! and May god bless and console his family.

[Yetidave]

Godspeed man. RIP.

[Arnie]

Godspeed Craig. May you rest in peace.

[norcolmille]

Godspeed Craig -
and my deepest condolences

[mfbRSV]

Sorry to hear this. RIP Craig. Condolences to family and friends.

[Gorf]

I knew him not. Visiting his posts on the other board makes me sad. May he rest in peace, and God watch over his family. Loosing a motorcyclist regardless of the situation is always terrible for the community.

[Karlos]

Such sad news.

My condolences to Craigs family and friends.

[Batfastard]

I have already posted condolences on the BO RSV website, I just read the "Scottish Mille owners..." post, poignant stuff.

Gaz if you cannot face riding again after the events of this week I cannot think of words to convince you otherwise.

Like Micah, I lost a close friend to motorcycles many years ago, it was one of the factors that made me hang up my helmet the first time around. I was a wee laddie of 19 at the time with a CB750F2 SOHC [for those old farts that can remember them] I was out with a couple of mates from college, riding home from a pub one night, Rich clipped his head on a street light that had been partially knocked over by something, and was leaning across the road. He actually stood up afterwards and was speaking as he pulled his helmet off. He fell over backwards and never got up. I knelt by his side doing CPR & resuss until the ambulance guy led me away - Jon had to ride off to a phone [1980- no cellular] to get help.

I couldn't get any pleasure out of riding after that, not for many years, only returning to bikes 10 years ago initially because my wife wanted me to get one. I also still get a lump in my throat as I ride past the corner where Rich died. On the positive side, time has passed, wounds heal, and I love my Aprilia. I will never be skillfull enough to use it's full potential, but I take mine regularly to my local racetrack, and enjoy myself. On the road I try to keep it sane and keep plenty in reserve, but I cannot imagine the time when I don't have a bike. God forbid I ever get so senile I buy a Harley!

Take your time, and remember your friend fondly, go to his funeral, it's important to attend. I believe it is no coincidence that every culture on our planet, regardless of religion hold memorial services, so we can say our goodbyes to friends and loved ones. Try to pick an image of him laughing at a joke, or sat on his bike grinning after a good ride, to remember him by. Not the image that I know is stuck in your head at the minute.

Most of all, talk to people about your feelings, not easy for many of us, my father was a Scot, and wasn't big on emotions. That was for the women in the house, but I cried like a baby at his funeral, too English I guess. You have many real and virtual friends on these websites, don't be a stranger.

[KingDan]

God Speed Craig, my prays are with him and his family-

KingDan

[lawman800]

Godspeed. The rate of accidents and fatalities for American motorcyclists are on the rise as well, from what it seems like on the news coverages and just on my daily commutes, what I've seen myself.

My colleague just lost her nephew-in-law to a motorcycle accident as well recently. He commutes to work on his bike and got hit by a car which sent him flying across the freeway. He was 24 and left behind a 21 year old wife with an 8 month old and one on the way.... truly tragic circs.