Northern Rivers motorcyclist Christian ‘Krille’ Wandel clings to life after horror Lismore crash

A “charismatic and gentle” motorcyclist is fighting for life after a horror crash in Lismore, with his best mate saying his survival is “touch and go” after massive injuries put him in a coma.

Northern Rivers single dad Christian 'Krille' Wandel, 52, is fighting for life after a horror motorbike crash near Lismore last week. Picture: Supplied/GoFundMe.

A “charismatic and gentle” motorcyclist and single dad is fighting for life after a horror crash in Lismore, with his best mate saying his survival is “touch and go” after “massive injuries” put him in a coma.

Around 1.30pm on November 6, Christian ‘Krille’ Wandel, 52, was involved in a serious crash on his Harley Davidson motorbike on Dunoon Rd at Dunoon, near Lismore.

Police at the scene told distraught family and friends he had veered off the road and hit a guardrail, causing extensive injuries including multiple broken ribs, internal bleeding and a fractured spine.

Mr Wandel was rushed by rescue helicopter to Princess Alexandria Hospital in Brisbane, which has one of the nation’s leading spinal injury units.

His best friend and fellow motorcyclist Aaron Mort told this publication Mr Wandel had recently undergone spinal surgery, but was still in an induced coma in the intensive care unit and “not out of the woods yet”.

Mr Wandel with his beloved Harley Davidson. Picture: Supplied.

The pair are part of a tight-knit Northern Rivers social motorcycle club – Knights SMC – which undertake charity rides and put on events for the homeless and disadvantaged kids.

“I’ve known Krille for three years and it’s just catastrophic what’s happened,” Mr Mort said.

“He’s out of surgery and is showing some positive signs like fluttering his eyes when we say his name, but he’s definitely not out of the woods yet. It’s touch and go at the moment.”

Mr Wandel (third from right in denim apron) at a charity event with his Knights SMC cohort. Picture: Supplied.

Mr Mort said Mr Wandel was a “charismatic, gentle and loving man who is incredibly generous to those he knows and to his community”.

“He loves his family and friends deeply. Everyone who knows Krille has been rocked by this tragedy,” he said.

Aaron Mort with his "best mate" Christian 'Krille' Wandel. Picture: Supplied.

Mr Mort, who is an NDIS support worker, said he would be willing to take care of Mr Wandel upon his release from hospital as he “may not have full use of his legs”.

A GoFundMe fundraiser has been launched for Mr Wandel.

“We have been told that his road to recovery will be an extremely long one. Krille is a single dad with a mortgage and we are sure he will appreciate any help he can get," Mr Mort said.

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Originally published as Northern Rivers motorcyclist Christian ‘Krille’ Wandel clings to life after horror Lismore crash