Motorcycle crash survivor Blake Peterson warns riders danger lurks everywhere

Blake Peterson woke up in a hospital bed with no right leg, an arm that wouldn’t work and no memory of what got him there. Now he has a warning for others.

Blake Peterson woke up in a hospital bed with no right leg, an arm that wouldn’t work and no memory of what got him there.

The 20-year-old had to rely on police, nurses and doctors and his family members to fill in the gaps.

He’d been riding his motorbike at 6.15pm on April 6, according to police, when emergency services responded to reports of a crash between a motorbike and taxi along Wentworth Avenue, Eastgardens.

NSW Ambulance paramedics treated Blake at the scene and took him to a St Vincent’s Hospital in a critical condition.

“Some part of me already knew what had happened when I woke up. It’s hard to explain. Then I just accepted this is how it is,” Blake told the Saturday Telegraph.

Blake Peterson has a warning for young motocycle enthusiasts ... “you’re not invincible”. Picture: Rohan Kelly

“I didn’t have a choice about my leg, I woke up without it and on my right arm I’ve lost all the nerves that have been detached from my spinal cord so I have no movement in my arm.”

While Blake has another surgery this week - which will make 15 - he is positive and optimistic about his future as a personal trainer.

His girlfriend of five years Sienna Nilsen said she was extremely proud of his resilience.

“It’s been a long journey but now we are coming to the end of this part of the journey and he has almost finished rehab,” she said.

“I couldn’t be more proud of him and how far he has already come. I wouldn’t wish this on anyone, so many raw and real emotions but he has handled it like a champion and I am excited for the future.”

Blake is speaking out about his brush with death to warn other young motorcyclists that they are “not invincible”.

“Before this I would never have thought anything would happen to me and look at me,” he said.

Blake Peterson in hospital after his motocycle crash with a taxi has been supported by his girlfriend Sienna Nilsen. Picture: Supplied.

“You can do all the right things, follow the rules but you have to realise you are exposed on the road, cars have blind spots, all those things. It doesn’t have to be your fault for something to go wrong so you need to drive as safely as possible.”

A Sydney dad feels exactly the same.

David Vidal lost his 29-year-old son Aaron while riding his motorbike in Rouse Hill on June 18, 2020, when he was hit by a car that came through a red light.

“When it’s car versus a motorbike crash occurs the motorbike rider invariably gets injured, it’s very difficult to walk away from a motorcycle crash.” Mr Vidal said.

“You are in a fairly precarious position on one. As a rider you’ve got a responsibility to understand that.” he said.

“The consequences can be life threatening or life changing.”

David Vidal wants no other parent to have to suffer the loss of a child like he has. His son Aaron died in a motorcycle crash. Picture: Sam Ruttyn

In the five years up to and including 2023, more than 12,800 motorcyclists were admitted to hospital with serious injuries compared to more than 16,500 for drivers on roads across NSW.

The lives of 284 motorcycle riders or their passengers and 732 drivers were lost during the same period and, so far this year, there have been 31 motorcycle fatalities and 88 driver fatalities recorded on the state’s roads.

Sally Webb, Deputy Secretary for Safety, Environment and Regulation at Transport NSW said motorcycle riders are some of the most vulnerable road users as they don’t have as much protection in a crash.

“If you’re on a motorbike, you’re more exposed than other motorists and at risk of serious injuries if you’re involved in a crash,” Ms Webb said.

“Choosing helmets and suitable jackets, pants and gloves is an important part of keeping riders safe, along with making good decisions when on the road, including scanning for hazards, buffering, riding to the conditions and staying under the speed limit.

“While it’s important for motorcyclists to ride responsibly and follow the road rules, drivers of other vehicles need to keep a careful lookout for motorcycles as they are smaller and less visible.”

Blake Peterson with his mum Rhiannon Peterson who is helping him on the long road to recovery after a motobike crash in April. Picture: Rohan Kelly

For Mr Vidal, his love of riding has certainty waned since the death of his son.

“As a rider you’ve got to be conscious of the fact that you’re in a very vulnerable position, you have to ride like you think everyone wants to kill you.

“You have to make sure you’re not in a position where that can occur. Having said that, you can’t predict the car that changes lanes, or in my son’s case, the car that drove through a red light.

“So as a car driver you’ve also got to be really conscious of the fact there are very vulnerable members of the public outside your vehicle. Pedestrians, pushbike riders, motorbike riders. All people we have to share the road with and be conscious of.

“The implications of hitting a push bike or motorbike rider or pedestrian are quite severe; they have no protection.”