BMW Rider Injured and Abandoned in North Dakota

[Wkoppa]

On Saturday evening my High School riding buddy (Class of 69) and I were headed to Alaska from Michigan when he ran into a deer 30 miles north of the US border in Manitoba on Highway 12 between Wampum and Piney.

He had all his gear on and a modular helmet with the chin bar down.

He was first evacuated south to Roseau, MN where the BMW (R65) owning physician declared he needed more work than they could provide so they shipped him to Grand Forks, ND Altru Hospital. Early on Sunday Dr. R. Clayburgh, an Orthepedic Hand Specialist, (keep this guys name) started the first of several surgeries that included one screw to the fractured right wrist, two screws to the fractured right ankle, one pin to the fractured left foot and dislocated toe and many screws and a plate to the fractured left arm.

Besides not being able to use his arms and legs he is in pretty good shape. No head, spine or injuries to the torso. Dr Clayburgh (Howard said if injured in the future he may ask to be shipped to Grand Forks) said that all injuries are fully recoverable but with Howard unable to do anything for himself (except use a couple fingers on his Blackberry) he will have to do a tour at the rehab facility.

Overall he is in good spirits and feels lucky that this whole thing could have been much worse. The deer appeared to sweep the front wheel out from under the bike ( 1150 GS) and sent it tumbling.

I left him on Thursday morning and he is now a resident at the adjoining re-hab facility for at least the next couple weeks. If your in the area he would love to have a visit. If your inclined to send a card or an E-mail wishing him well over the Memorial Day Weekend as that he is a Vietnam Veteran that would also be great. Maybe you have some spare deer whistles laying around.

Howard Hein
Valley Eldercare Center
2900 14th Ave S. #576
Grand Forks, ND 58201

E-mail Howard.Hein@L-3com.com

His daytime gig is working as a contractor with the Air Force on F-16 and Predator flight simulators but his current area of interest is how on his own he can get himself into and out of a wheelchair and then a commercial flight back to Michigan. Being single and a little younger than the other residents he will be an interesting addition to the day room if he can make it that far.

Thanks for your interest.

Wayne Koppa
Grayling, MI

 

[womanridge]

Heal fast! Don't think I ever want to "kiss" a deer head on, my greatest m/c fear.

 

[swbell]

Close deer tonight for us, 2 up! Had a truck coming toward us on a two lane and out popped this doe on my right side heading across the the road. I was able to slow quickly but the truck had no place to go and bam hit the doe right to our left, sounded really bad. the driver was ok and we were all good - not sure I like those critters, more need to be "harvested" in the fall each year!

Howard, get well quickly! Thankful it wasn't worse. But big bummer on the trip to AK.

 

[WEZUL]

Hey, first, you did not abandon your riding buddy, you merely left him in good care. So lighten up.
Good on 'em for recognizing at first trauma center that they were out of their neighborhood. That's a sign of humility . . . .

Now on to Bambi.
Bambi and friends are fine with me until they decide that they are going to cross a road. That's where they get kinda dumb. You've seen them out of the corner of your eye, just off the road, waiting. That's just fine. Wait.
Because when one goes, they all go. And that is chaos and possible mayhem. I do not need to see the mayhem.
BTW, they taste really good!

 

[Bud]

Sorry to hear of your friends accident. Wishing him a speedy recovery.

And as the previous poster stated, he was not abandoned.

Ride well.

 

[dancogan]

Thanks for the report. Sent him a get well message yesterday. You helped him find good care and now he can heal. Feel good about what you did!

 

[rich]

I've been abandoned in North Dakota since 1959, and it isn't so bad.

Heal fast, Howard! Glad to hear you are going to be ok.

 

[177195]

Sorry to read about the unfortunate incident,Ijust got back from Wiinipeg about an hour ago,and am sure the deer I spotted on the shoulder of the road was the one your friend hit.Them forest rats can definetly put a damper on a well planned vacation,hop your buddy heals quickly.

 

[bmdubyou]

Some smart scientists need to figure out how to cross breed deer with polar bears.

Heal quickly...Godspeed!

 

[PGlaves]

Take care, get well. Those are good folks in Grand Forks. That's my old home town.

 

[xtek95]

As a Vet myself i felt inclined to send a quick e-mail to your friend Howard, hope he recovers quickly and doesn't feel like this any longer.

 

[bunkyone]

Hey all; Wayne, you did not abandon your bud. You saw to his well being, got him proper attention, and then (and only then) continued on with business. The best thing you can do for him is take lots of pictures, so that he can share the trip that way while rehabbing.( Dropped him an E-mail just now by the way.) As far as bambi goes, having hit them twice while riding, (and just last Friday while in the car) I think I will take up hunting again. (Love the taste of "bambi burgers" grilling on the barby!!) Vaya con Dios, Dutch

 

[TGHSMITH]

the one you don't see is the one you hit!!! $ 2000.00 to fix my wifes tarus this year, 11:45am, never had time to take my foot off the gas, we were going to a m/c club christmas party(glad the wheather was so-so and we took the car.. ask kermit at a rally about the deer he took-out with his rs in the 80's, I was at his house when he rode in with the fairing cracked and bent, saddle bag ripped loose and him looking pretty shook-up. you did the best by your friend you could do, sound like hes in good care..