Motorcyclist Adam Croton shares support for driver Edward Murphy about tragic accident

A motorcyclist left wheelchair-bound, who spent 11 months in hospital, has expressed incredible forgiveness to the 70-year-old driver responsible, saying it could have happened to anyone.

Injured Motorcyclist Adam Croton has had 15 surgeries and has been left wheelchair-bound but forgives the elderly driver who almost killed him, Loganlea. Picture: Liam Kidston.

A motorcyclist who lost eight weeks of memory and was left paralysed after an elderly driver struck him in September last year has graciously forgiven the man, telling a Logan court he holds no ill feelings towards him.

Adam Croton, 31, was riding on Jacobs Well Rd, Stapylton on September 27 last year when he was struck by a driver as they performed a U-turn.

Mr Croton was rushed to hospital and would not be released for 11 months, finally being discharged in August this year.

He lost eight weeks of memory, had 15 surgeries and was wheelchair bound, without any feeling in his left arm.

Doctors at the time told his family he would most likely not survive and would never be able to feel his neck, but an amazing recovery lead him to slowly regain control in his right arm.

Despite the life altering injuries, Mr Croton sent a powerful message to prosecutors ahead of the sentencing for the man who struck him, expressing he held no animosity towards 70-year-old driver Edward Murphy.

Injured Motorcyclist Adam Croton has had 15 surgeries and has been left wheelchair-bound but forgives the elderly driver who almost killed him, Loganlea. Picture: Liam Kidston.

Mr Croton said he accepted the driver did not deliberately do anything wrong, and that holding a grudge would not achieve anything.

“It could have happened to anyone, there is no point in blaming the driver, it sucks that it has happened but I’ve just got to deal with it,” Mr Croton told The Albert and Logan News after the sentencing.

“I can’t change the outcome or go back in time.

“He is an older fella’ and I’m sure everybody in their life has had a moment driving where they don’t see someone or they cut in front.”

Before the crash Mr Croton enjoyed jet skiing and was renovating his home.

“The day of the accident I recall walking through a white front door, my next recollection is being awake in a dark room with tubes all around me and I was unable to move or feel a thing,” he said in a powerful victim impact statement.

“I thought I was dreaming I was in this dark room and walking through the white door was the actual reality, I didn’t know what was real and thought I was losing my mind.

“I am unable to do normal daily things like take a shower, use the toilet or cook without assistance.”

Injured Motorcyclist Adam Croton has had 15 surgeries and has been left wheelchair-bound but forgives the elderly driver who almost killed him, Loganlea. Picture: Liam Kidston.

He said the recovery had been long and difficult but he was working on moving back to his own property, which he planed to subdivide.

“I just kind of push myself I guess, I try every day to do new things.

“The day of my accident I was going to my broker to see if I could build a second house so that's my next step.”

He said he had great support from friends and family but the lengthy eleven month recovery brought many moments of loneliness.

“At the start I had people visiting me all the time but because I was in hospital for so long, towards the end I didn’t have many people coming in anymore.

“In the lockdowns during Christmas my family could not visit me either.”

Mr Croton’s mother Katrina Croton said receiving the phone call from the hospital that tragic day was a mother’s worst fear come true.

“It’s a mother’s nightmare to get that phone call, it turned my life upside down,” she said.

“There is frustration because his mind says he can do stuff but his body can’t.”

Ms Croton said the way her son handled the adversity blew her away.

“It has been a huge 12 months, it has been horrible to watch but he is coming out the other end now.

“He has been an inspiration to myself, family and friends with his positive outlook, he is so amazing and I'm so proud of him.”

Adam Croton riding his motorcycle. Picture: Supplied

Murphy pleaded guilty to driving without due care or attention causing grievous bodily harm.

The court heard there was no evidence Mr Croton contributed to the accident in any way.

Murphy told the court he had not driven since, was extremely regretful of his actions and did not want to drive again in the future.

Magistrate Patrina Clohessy said the crash was serious but the defendant did not do anything illegal while driving.

Edward Murphy, 70, outside Beenleigh Magistrates Court.

“There is nothing this court can do to change the catastrophic effects of this offence,” she said.

“The victim suffered incredibly serious injuries which has altered his life forever but he also graciously accepts there was no malice intentions.

“He was left paralysed, unable to move on his own and now needs assistance for everyday tasks.”

Murphy received a suspended three month prison sentence and was disqualified from driving for 9 months.