Biker says he's lucky to be alive

Thursday, 20 November 2014

Dylan McKenzie does not remember much about the crash that broke his neck, back and pelvis, but knows he is lucky to be alive.

The 23-year-old was in hospital for two weeks after an 89-year-old woman crashed into his motorcycle in Selwyn St in Christchurch on October 7.

He is still recovering and does not expect to go back to work until next year.

'I'm just lucky to be alive and walking,' he said.

'My helmet, that's probably what saved my life.'

The crash happened near the intersection of Selwyn and Rosewarne Sts when McKenzie said the woman suddenly pulled out in front him, leaving him no time to react.

He does not remember the crash, but the impact broke his back and neck, cracked his pelvis in two places and gave him a concussion. Surgeons had to place two bolts and a metal plate in his back 'because that was all screwed'.

He was moved between Christchurch and Burwood hospitals several times over the following two weeks, and celebrated his 23rd birthday 'lying in bed on morphine'. Doctors thought he might need to stay in hospital for up to six weeks, but he surprised them with how fast he began to recover.

He returned to Christchurch this week after spending four weeks recuperating at his Mum's home in Okiwi Bay, in the Marlborough Sounds.

McKenzie said the woman who was driving the car that hit him had been asked by police to voluntarily give up her driver licence.

Police told him she was 'pretty upset' by what happened and had spent a day in hospital following the crash. McKenzie said he was in the wrong place at the wrong time and he felt bad for the woman.