A motorcyclist who lost a leg in a senseless accident caused by an unconscious motorist hopes his painful story can save lives.
Mario Attard, 58, set out on his routine motorbike ride to Supercheap Auto in Melton, west of Melbourne, on August 11 last year when his life changed forever.
The experienced rider had been While passing through an intersection with green lights on High Street when he was hit by a driver making an illegal turn.
“I remember getting hit,” Attard told Daily Mail Australia.
“I remember the car hit my ankle, went into the engine and I was dragged with the bike after I went airborne.”
From there, everything is a bit of a blur.
Attard, who had his own lawn-mowing business before the accident, remembers images of people, paramedics and friends “coming in and out like picture frames.”
He was in the ambulance with a lot of people talking to him.
Mario Attard lost a leg when a driver hit him on his motorcycle. As soon as he could he got back on the road on a three-wheeled vehicle.
He stopped breathing three times in the ambulance due to blood loss.
“The paramedics brought me back to life,” he said.
‘I don’t remember much after that. The next thing I remember is being in the hospital and waking up.
When Mr Attard woke up from surgery, his leg had been amputated below the knee.
“When the doctor asked me if I knew where I was, I said there was no way I was in heaven,” Attard said.
“He told me about the amputation and then I said, ‘Oh, well, there goes my leg.'”
It’s the kind of positive attitude and sense of humor that has helped Mr. Attard get through his darkest times.
A few days after having his leg removed, Attard was already getting out of bed and pacing his room.
“Just a few hours after the operation, a good friend of mine came to see me and I immediately got on his bike and burned all the bandages off my leg,” he said.
“It’s a passion and for me it was important to continue riding.”
Attard spent three months in rehabilitation learning to walk again.
Determined to continue riding his motorcycle, he continues to attend rehabilitation three times a week and also swims.
Attard now rides a three-wheeled Harley Davidson even though he still finds it difficult to walk properly.
Attard returned to the intersection where his life changed forever last year on the anniversary of the accident.
The popular rider He is supported by a close-knit community of cyclists who look after him and encourage him to keep going.
Despite his bravery, Mr. Attard knows he is not invincible and still gets nervous when he passes the scene of the incident.
Watching bad driving or close calls still gives you chills.
October is Motorcycle Awareness Month, which has inspired Mr. Attard to come forward in the hopes that motorists will start paying more attention to motorcyclists on the road.
‘The drivers watch the motorcyclists and the motorcyclists watch the drivers. “During rehabilitation, I was alarmed to see how many other people were rebuilding their lives after road traffic injuries and I am passionate about making change,” she said.
“I just want everyone to know who’s on the road: from cars to buses to trucks to bikes.”
Man of the road: Mario Attard is back on the road on a three-wheeled Harley
Attard said he holds no grudge against the motorist who cost him his leg.
‘I forgive the driver who hit me. It was an accident; Wrong place, wrong time. He covered my leg with his jacket, screamed for help and didn’t leave my side. “But I have to live without my leg for the rest of my life and it didn’t have to happen like this,” he said.
‘Pay attention. Check your blind spots and everyone be careful; Nowadays there is not enough awareness and reckless behavior is seen on the roads every day.’
Arnold Thomas & Becker lawyer Maggie Attalla, who is representing Mr Attard in a claim before the Transport Accident Commission, said her client’s story was Timely reminder that cyclists are one of the most vulnerable users of our roads.
“People often overlook motorcyclists because of their blind spots or because they expect to see a car. “When you get behind the wheel you have to be attentive and remember that you are not only responsible for yourself, but also for the lives of those around you,” he said.
‘And as a driver, you don’t want to be responsible for someone else’s injury or, worse, their life. The ripple effects of these accidents reach everywhere.
‘Mario’s life has changed forever. While he has an amazing attitude about what happened to him, he is still dealing with adjusting to a life without his leg, as well as the psychological trauma he will live with forever.’