Watson’s Bay e-bike crash: Australian Navy sailor Wade Franks, 28, fights for his life after mysterious accident while returning to base on an e-bike after a night out in Sydney
A Royal Australian Navy sailor is fighting for his life after crashing an electric bike in an upmarket area of Sydney’s eastern suburbs in the early hours of Sunday morning.
Wade Franks, 28, was reportedly out with friends and on his way to the Navy training academy, HMAS Watson, when he lost control of the rented Lime electric bike.
The midshipman was on a steep, winding bend on Old South Head Road, Watson’s Bay, about 1.30am on Sunday when the accident happened.
Local couple Brian Monkhouse and his trained nurse wife, Sandy, heard a loud, scraping noise coming from the road outside their house and went out to investigate.
Ms Monkhouse said she saw “something lying in the road” and then realized to her horror that “Oh, my God, it’s a person, just lying still,” she said. 9News.
A Royal Australian Navy sailor (pictured on the stretcher) is fighting for his life after crashing a Lime electric bike in the early hours of Sunday morning.
Midshipman Wade Franks (pictured) is believed to have been out with friends and heading to the Navy training academy, HMAS Watson, when he lost control of the rented Lime electric bike.
They immediately called 000 and did what they could until help arrived, including paramedics, police and a rescue helicopter.
At one point Mr Monkhouse heard someone say “Hello, hello” and initially thought it was coming from the street.
But then he realized it was coming from Mr Franks’ phone, which was on the handlebars of his electric bike.
A young woman telephoned him.
The severity of Mr Franks’ injuries was revealed during conversations between paramedics treating him at the scene.
“We need to fix these airways,” a paramedic says.
“You take the ketamine, I’ll put a collar on him,” said another.
Ms Monkhouse was deeply concerned for Mr Franks, saying: ‘He was very sweaty and cool, coming in and out of consciousness.’
The sailor was taken to nearby St. Vincent Hospital with serious head injuries, where he remains in critical condition.
“I hope he is well and I hope these bikes are monitored more,” Ms Monkhouse said.
The bike Mr Franks was riding is pictured lying on the ground in the early hours of Sunday morning.
The sailor was taken to nearby St. Vincent Hospital with serious head injuries, where he remains in critical condition.
Paramedics, police and a rescue helicopter (pictured) arrived at the scene after the 000 call.
Mr Franks was treated at the scene (pictured) before being taken to St Vincent’s Hospital.
A young woman is said to have telephoned Mr Franks at the time of the accident.
Lime’s rules for using its bikes say riders must stay within the legal alcohol limit, wear a helmet and not ride down steep hills.
In a statement, the company said it was “deeply saddened by this incident and our thoughts are with the pilot and his family at this difficult time.”
“We are awaiting further information from the police. We know that 99.9% of our races around the world finish without any reported incidents.
“Our commitment to safety remains unwavering and we will continue to communicate continually with our passengers to encourage safe driving, helmet use and proper parking at all of our operating locations.”
WHAT IS AN ELECTRIC BIKE AND WHICH IS THE LIME ELECTRIC BIKE SUPPLIER?
Electric bikes are bikes with battery-powered “assist” provided by pedaling and, in some cases, a throttle.
Lime is Australia’s oldest e-bike company and has been operating in Sydney for three years.
During this period, more than 1.5 million trips were made with the bicycles found on city streets, where they were left by former customers.
The bikes are unlocked and paid for via a mobile phone application.
Cyclists do not need a driver’s license, but most must be over 18 to rent the bike.
Lime (bike pictured) is Australia’s oldest e-bike company and has been operating in Sydney for three years.
Users must obey the blood alcohol content laws that apply to their driver’s license if they have one (0 or 0.05).
If they do not have a license they must be 0 alcohol.
By law, riders must use a helmet, either their own or an attached Lime helmet.
The company says: “If you find a vehicle without a helmet and don’t have yours with you, we recommend using the app to find another vehicle nearby. »
Source: Lime Sydney And velo.com
