An Edinburgh teen spent two weeks in instensive care after suffering a brain injury in a horror crash on his mountain bike.
Scott Whibley, 18, was rushed to hospital in an air ambulance after the inicdent at Glentress in the Borders on August 26. He spent two weeks in intensive care with a brain injury, fractured skull, broken nose, missing teeth and a split lip.
The 18-year-old, who had amnesia for nine days after being woke up, says he “cannot remember the crash at all” and can only vaguely recall his last five days in hospital, reports Edinburgh Live.
Speaking two months after the incident, Scott says it showed him “how quickly things can change”.
He added: “I don’t remember anything about the crash at all, I know I was having a fun day and then I woke up in hospital. We went onto a brand new track and it was a really wet day.
“My prediction is there was a big jump on the track and my feet weren’t clipped into the peddles or anything so I am assuming I went right over the handlebars.
“I fractured my skull, broke my nose, lost some teeth and split my lip open. I have had 30 stitches in my face but you cannot tell now.
“I was in hospital for two weeks and I was sedated because they thought I broke my spine. I was in intensive care and then they woke me up and I acted normal but I still had amnesia for nine days.
“My memory is fully back now but I can only really remember the last five days in hospital.”
Scott was getting ready to start university to study geography a week before the incident but is now taking a gap year due to his injuries. However, the doctors expect him to make a full recovery with no long term symptoms.
The teen has praised the support he received from emergency services and said the response was “amazing”.
He added: “I have always been into mountain biking and I have always felt really confident. It just shows it can happen out of nowhere.
“I hate hospitals and being in there so honestly I am really glad I can’t remember it. It’s like a blessing in disguise.
“If I could fully remember the crash, I would be more scared to get on my bike but because I can’t remember it I will most likely do it again in the future.
“The medical response was amazing, the response was so quick. I felt like I was being treated as royalty.”
Tweed Valley Mountain Rescue team previously posted on social media, saying: “The busy period continues…. another callout from Police Scotland to Glentress at around 1.40pm today to assist an injured mountain biker. Approximately 10 x TVMRT members worked alongside a substantial team from the Scottish Ambulance Service (including their SORT team) and Police Scotland.
“After treatment on the trailside by Paramedics and Air Ambulance Crew, TVMRT packaged the casualty and then extracted on our stretcher (with a single wheel – we are able to use this on smoother routes to help carry the load) uphill to a waiting ambulance.
“The casualty was then transferred down the hill to a waiting Air Ambulance helicopter for onward movement to Edinburgh. All packed up and away by approx. 4pm. We wish today’s casualty the very best for a swift recovery.
“Many thanks to the Tweedlove team who broke from packing up from their events over the weekend to assist us deploy, and for their help at the casualty site.“
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