RTW rider injured in Russia, ride is over for now
 

Below is a message from Chris Lockwood about his crash. He and his friend Daisuke were on a round-the-world trip. Their website is here: http://www2.gol.com/users/chrisl/travel/

-Scott
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Greetings from Chris at the European Medical Center in Moscow.
What, you may ask, am I doing mailing you from a hospital? Well, I was in an
accident between the cities of Orenburg and Samara. A car ignored a stop sign
at high speed and crossed the highway I was traveling on.
I managed to avoid a direct hit on the side of the car, instead, clipping the
rear end. That sent me flying to the pavement where I broke my left collar
bone. I managed to get to the local hospital that x-rayed me, put on a plaster
cast (directly on the skin, with no gauze underneath), and sent me on my way
with a "by the way, you'll never regain full control of your arm." That was by
no means satisfactory with me. The next day, I got a flight from Samara to
Moscow and a taxi to the European Medical Center. They have a trauma specialist
here who scheduled me for surgery the next afternoon. I am now recovering from
the surgery and will be back in Japan in about a week to begin rehabilitation.
The doctor assures me that I should regain full mobility in my arm. I will try
to get a new bike (my F650 is dead) and reunite in South America with Daisuke
who is currently riding alone.
Advice to fellow travelers: Get insurance. The introduction to a "real"
hospital alone is worth the price I paid.

Chris

Now the whole world (or anyone who matters) knows!!

I go back to Japan today if Russian customs will let me out without paying a fine for leaving the bike. I spent almost a full day with an un-set fracture trying to get a police report saying the bike will not run. Hopefully this and the cast on my arm will get me through...

I am now accepting donations so I can purchase a new bike.