The night my son died, he was not being the most responsible on his motorbike. He did not have the proper protective gear (wearing an open face helmet no goggles, singlet, jeans and thongs), had been drinking, was on a totally unfamiliar country road, at night with no streetlights and speeding with his friends. He also only had an R-E learners permit but was on a 1690cc bike…..much too powerful for someone so inexperienced!
He was riding the “roller coaster” in Gigiganup on Lancewood Avenue and after completing the first hill stopped and told his mates he needed to turn back for fuel. They agreed to do one more hill and turn back. At the bottom of that second hill, the Harley bottomed out, Kyle lost control and veered to the right and off into the bush, though a fence and hit rocks and trees. His friends tried to resuscitate him until the paramedics arrived, who also tried, but he could not be revived.
I have seen the coroners report and the autopsy report and I know that my son died within seconds, he did not suffer and he had two non recoverable injuries, a hinge fracture of his scull and severe chest injuries….one of these would have been enough to kill him. I have also questioned the boys who were with him that night, and seen the St John Ambulance report….everything that could have been done for my son was done….but he was never coming back from his injuries…..I am and ex nurse and have been a volunteer AAC Ambulance Officer since my late 20’s……I have never lost a patient on my watch….but I wasn’t there to save my own son….this was one of the hardest things to accept as I sat on the plane on the way back to Australia after I got the phone call. It is a strange comfort to know that even I could not have brought him back….it was like blowing out a candle for Kyle, and I am so glad it was quick and painless, and he didn’t suffer. He died doing something he loved.
I visit the site regularly and take yellow flowers out there. Despite the trauma of that night it is a strangely tranquil and peaceful place…that I go to connect with the last place my son was alive.
Kyles permanent cross was put up on his son Cash’s first birthday 13.3.2917. His Grandad Jock, my Dad in Darwin, made it and my sister, Jacky brought it down with her when she came on a visit. There is a separate post on this website with more detail and photos about the cross. Although our family is not religious, a cross on the roadside is significant to all, and a mark of respect for the life lost.
