Harley Phipps and father give thanks to paramedics first on scene of shocking crash

Harley reunited with his trauma team who got him back on his feet after a horror crash. On Wednesday, he was joined by his father in an emotional reunion with the paramedics that “saved his life”.

Harley Phipps with Chris Mullen intensive care paramedic and Brianna Batchelor paramedic who were part of the team from Ambulance Tasmania who gave medical assistance after the crash. Harley Phipps 20 is reunited with the members of Ambulance Tasmania who helped save him after a serious sidecar motorcycle crash. Picture: Nikki Davis-Jones

Getting a call that your child has been in a serious accident is every parent’s worst nightmare.

For Mathew Phipps, that call came June 3 last year when he heard his then 18-year-old son Harley, travelling 160km/h in a sidecar race, had crashed into a tyre wall.

“Harley was on a stretcher in the middle of the track and they were working on him,” he said of the paramedics who were first on the scene at the Baskerville Raceway.

Harley Phipps racing. Picture: supplied

“I noticed one of the first things they were trying to breathe him and he kept tilting his head trying to get away with it, and I was just saying ‘come on Harley, they’re trying to save you!’

“Just being a typical boy – not listening to me which is nothing unusual.”

On Tuesday, Mr Phipps stood proudly alongside Harley to give thanks to the paramedics who he said saved his son’s life.

“It was pretty obvious when I was at the track he would not have made it to the hospital had they not taken the action they did,” he said, choking back tears.

“He was in the hands of the best people possible, and they did an incredible job.”

Harley said reuniting with the paramedics was a “surprise”.

“I can’t remember these people, but I know what they meant to me and that I owe them my life,” he said.

Harley was hospitalised for a total of nine weeks, three of which were in an induced coma.

He sustained serious injuries to his lungs, ribs, leg and brain.

Harley Phipps 19 who was involved in a serious motorbike accident and spent much time in hospital at both the Royal Hobart Hospital and also the Alfred Hospital in Melbourne. Picture: supplied

While still rehabilitating, he said the experience had given him a greater appreciation for life.

“I’m just amazed that I’ve been able to overcome all this rather than just spit the dummy and give up,” he said.

“I can actually see what I’ve been through and it’s a lot to think on, and also a lot of unknowns that only my mind can really try and uncover.”

Intensive care paramedic and first responder Chris Mullen said it was a rare privilege to meet a patient like Harley.

“We recognised earlier on the criticality of the injuries, and how he’s pulled through and demonstrated his desire for life is incredible,” he said.

Mr Phipps agreed.

“The resilience and the will to live life and to follow his dreams is amazing,” he said.

“And that includes continuing with the sport that he loves so it’s that passion that he’s got.”

Originally published as Harley Phipps and father give thanks to paramedics first on scene of shocking crash