Triple M star Ben Dobbin’s horrific bike crash leaves him hospitalised with broken neck and spinal injuries

A radio personality is recovering in Brisbane’s Wesley Hospital after a catastrophic bicycle accident left him with reported spinal injuries and a broken neck.

Radio and TV personality Ben Dobbin. Picture: Supplied

Brisbane TV and radio sports personality Ben Dobbin says he’s lucky to be walking, let alone alive, after a horror pushbike crash - which happened as he swerved to miss a snake - left him in hospital with a broken neck.

“Dobbo”, 48, a father-of-five including 18-month-old twin sons, said he was “that close to being in a wheelchair for the rest of my life it’s not funny”.

The Triple M presenter and Channel 9 rugby league reporter was training for the Noosa Triathlon last Wednesday when the accident happened.

He said he was riding with cycling coach Cam Hughes from Nundah to the Hornibrook Bridge when he swerved to miss a black snake on the road.

“My front tyre clipped his back tyre and I lost control, shot across (the road), got spat out and went head first into the one and only steel pole,” a sore and sorry Dobbin told The Sunday Mail from his bed in Brisbane’s Wesley Hospital.

“I knew something was wrong straight away and an ambulance was called.

“I had a CT and MRI and was diagnosed with a fractured C5 vertebrae.”

Ben Dobbin for Sunday Sesh

Dobbin underwent delicate surgery on Thursday night, with doctors telling him it was touch and go if he would walk again.

“The neurosurgeon had to operate through my throat and said there was a risk I’d lose my voice,” he said.

“I told him ‘that’s my career’ and he said ‘my priority is to save you from being in a wheelchair for the rest of your life’.

“He said most people who have this type of injury don’t ever walk again.”

Dobbin said he taken his first tentative steps on Friday “but it’s going to be a long road to recovery”.

“I don’t know how long I’ll be in hospital for, they haven’t told me,” he said.

“I’ve been in agony, but it’s more the mental side of things that’s harder to deal with, if I’m honest.”

Dobbin said he was overwhelmed by the support of his family, friends and media colleagues.

Kevin Walters even texted him on Thursday, the day he was sacked as Broncos coach, to wish Dobbin well.

“The support from Channel 9 and Triple M has been amazing,” Dobbin said.

“Cam Hughes, from CAMS Cycling Collective, has also been unbelievable.”

Dobbin said he did not know when he would be back on TV and radio, where he hosts shows including Triple M’s Rush Hour and Sunday Sin Bin.

“I know one thing, I’ll never get on a bike again,” he said.

The Rush Hour with Leisel, Liam and Dobbo hosts Leisel Jones, Ben 'Dobbo' Dobbin and Liam Flanagan. Photo: Supplied.

Dobbin’s Triple M co-hosts, Leisel Jones and Liam Flanagan, shared the shocking news with listeners during Wednesday’s show, describing the incident as a “tumble” and reassuring fans that Dobbin is expected to make a full recovery.

“He had a bit of a tumble on his bike, but he’s okay – he’s expected to make a full recovery,” Jones said, while Flanagan added, “He’s fallen off his bike, is the point.”

Despite the seriousness of the crash, his co-hosts remain optimistic about his return to the airwaves, with Flanagan hinting, “We’ll let him tell the story in his own words in his own time because it sounds like a doozy.”

Dobbin is no stranger to medical emergencies.

Just two years ago, the 48-year-old underwent lifesaving heart surgery after doctors discovered a major blockage, known as the “widow maker,” which put him weeks away from a catastrophic heart attack.

Speaking about the incident in February 2022 on The Rush Hour, Dobbin revealed that he had ignored chest pain for six weeks before finally seeking medical attention.

His walking group and wife Amity urged him to visit a GP, who sent him straight to the hospital for the emergency procedure.

Originally published as Triple M star Ben Dobbin’s horrific bike crash leaves him hospitalised with broken neck and spinal injuries