Cycle crash victim returns to work, in running for best plumber award
Four months after a car smashed into Brad Wilton he has bravely returned to his plumbing business, still nursing his injuries.
Townsville
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Brad Wilton woke to the news he had been run over.
He was one of five cyclists hit by a motorist while out on a ride on Dalrymple Rd in February.
The father-of-two was forced out of work after he suffered five broken ribs, a spinal fracture and a lung injury.
The sole trader, who owns Rescue Plumbing NQ, has only recently been able to return to work.
Mr Wilton said returning to work last month was like having to start from scratch.
“Basically I just shut up and passed on business to other (plumbing) businesses,” he said.
“Obviously with the accident, four months out of work wasn’t the best.”
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He still works at a reduced capacity but is striving to regrow his business, with the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic doing little to help.
“I’m doing about 50 per cent working days, or meant to be, but it never is,” he said.
“The body is still definitely sore, giving me a little reminders it’s gone through a lot this year.”
Mr Wilton remains optimistic, saying his good friend Jade Connor who was also involved in the crash helped him through his worst days.
Rescue Plumbing NQ is one of 29 Townville businesses nominated in the Townsville Bulletin’s best plumber poll.
Mr Wilton’s best mate Jason Wirth backed his mate, saying he was deserving of the award following his hardship.
Why Brad Wilton is Townsville’s best plumber, according to Jason Wirth:
“Brad started his business Rescue Plumbing NQ around 18 months ago after taking the big jump and risk into working for himself,” Mr Wirth said.
“Brad has always been known as an honest tradie that is that loyal and honest to his customers, he has built his reputation around trusting and respectful relationships.
“He is so in demand due to his personal demeanour, his business was booming in its first year. He and his family were so happy they took the jump, with a young boy and one in the way, financial stability was always in the back of their minds.
“Brad’s success was not a result of luck, it was true hard work, combined with a passion and loyalty that is rare. The demand placed on him saw him working 70 hours plus a week, every hour or every day done with a smile and laugh. Combine this with being a new father and his love for long distance trail running and riding, he didn’t get much sleep in his life.
“Then the crash happened. I got the call when I was visiting my family in Dubbo.
“Being my best mate it shatters you, knowing he is hurt but out of reach to care for him.
Brad suffered some major injuries, worse of all severely broken ribs leaving him unable to move even the slightest let alone work.
“At all stages of this incident, all he was worried about were his customers and how he thought he had let them down.”
Originally published as Cycle crash victim returns to work, in running for best plumber award