Accident survivor thanks paramedic after horrific accident at Riverstone

WHEN James Armstrong was hit by a truck he ‘died’ on the operating table and heard the words: “This one’s done, grind the body and send on the soul”. He tells his story of near death.

Paramedic Mario Nabung attended to James Armstrong after he was hit by a truck while riding his motorbike. Mr Armstrong credits Mr Nabung with saving his life. Picture: Justin Sanson

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WHEN James Armstrong and fiancee Brandi were mowed down on their motorbike by a truck on a roundabout in Sydney’s northwest in October it looked like they would become another two accident fatalities.

Mr Armstrong died on the operating table and Brandi lay unconscious and bleeding on the road at Riverstone

But Mr Armstrong came back from the dead after seeing a bright light and hearing someone say: “This one’s done, grind the body and send on the soul”.

“I’m not a superstitious person. But when I heard that I thought, ‘I’m not going to die, I’m going to live’.”

Mr Armstrong, 43, fought back from a list of horrifying injuries including a torn aorta which would normally be the kiss of death, while pillion passenger Brandi almost lost a leg, the hearing in one ear and a dislocated hip.

Mr Armstrong — who in the seconds before impact moved his body to shield his girlfriend who he had become engaged to only 10 days earlier at the Sydney Opera House — suffered the torn aorta, a punctured lung, two fractured vertebrae, 10 broken ribs, a dislocated hip, snapped ball joint in the head of his leg, a shattered left knee and fractures to both legs.

“When I heard it was a couple on a bike hit by a truck, I said, ‘Oh my God,” paramedic Mario Nabung said.

James Armstrong is looking forward to becoming a father after almost dying last year.

When the 13-year medical veteran arrived at the scene with six other paramedics he said he was shocked by the injuries and didn’t think James would survive.

Yesterday was the first time Mr Armstrong had met Mr Nabung after the accident and the first time the paramedic heard he had suffered a cardiac arrest.

“I wanted to come and say thank you,” Mr Armstrong said.

“They are heroes these folks. If it hadn’t been for their quick response I’m sure I wouldn’t be here today.”

Mr Armstrong didn’t lose consciousness despite his severe injuries and remarkably he fumbled for his mobile and called his boss to say a truck had hit him.

As he lay on the road in what he calls “real, excruciating pain” he also called out to his wife.

“She didn’t answer and I was shouting her name and I thought she was dead.”

Thankfully, Brandi — who originally hails from Florida in the US — became conscious soon after and, with her husband, was placed in the chopper for the quick trip to Westmead.

Now the couple are fighting their way back to health.

“I’m trying to get back to work, but it is a struggle,” Mr Armstrong said. He has set-up a My Cause account at mycause.com.au/page/115216/from-fairy-tale-to-tragedy. “Centrelink doesn’t cover much and it’s all proving a bit stressful.”

But Mr Armstrong says they both have plenty to live for.

“We’re expecting a baby boy in November and while I’m pretty stressed and every day I relive the accident and still can’t go through a roundabout without getting nervous I can’t wait to be holding my baby son.”

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