Bryson Norris opens up after a horrendous crash nearly cost him his life

A Melbourne sportsman suffered horrendous injuries after crashing his bike at 50kmh. He reveals the brutal aftermath and his dream to represent his mob on the world stage. SEE THE GRAPHIC PICS

Bryson Norris recovering in hospital.

This is the result when you go face first into a rock wall at 50kmh. It’s not for the faint of heart.

Melbourne triathlete Bryson Norris suffered horrendous injuries when he came off his bike during a race in Cairns earlier this month.

He has 60 stitches in his face, a broken nose and severe concussion.

Norris has little doubt without his helmet he might not have survived the accident, which knocked him unconscious for five minutes and hospitalised him for three days.

An accomplished footballer with local club Northcote Park, he was racing in pursuit of his dream of becoming the first Victorian Indigenous man to race at the Ironman World Championships in Hawaii.

Bryson Norris celebrates completing a triathlon.

That is now on the backburner while he recovers.

“I was riding down hill and came around a sweeping left-hand bend, the road starts to straighten and there was a heavy wind – like 50kmh gusts – coming off the water,” Norris recalls.

“So because I was trying to straighten to the right and the wind was pushing me to the left, there wasn’t any space, it was just a wall of rock.

“I don’t remember the last 10 or 15 seconds but I went head-first into the rock face, yeah it was pretty brutal.

“I found out a few days later, the guy behind me in the race, once he saw I’d crashed, stopped with another lady – I haven’t been able to track her down yet – and they both waited for the ambulance to get there.

“I was unconscious for five or six minutes and once the medics had got to me that’s when I remember waking up and them trying to wrap up my face to try and stop the bleeding.

“The helmet saved my life that’s for sure, I’d be dead without the helmet – all my doctors have been sure to tell me that.”

Sport has given Norris an outlet, having previously battled mental health issues.

Bryson Norris recovering in hospital.

Bryson Norris recovering in hospital.

After joining Indigenous triathlon club, TriMob, the 28-year-old is hoping to use his racing to raise awareness of culture around Australia.

Despite a tough initiation, he feel in love with the sport.

“I lined up for a 2XU (race) and I nearly drowned in that, I had to get a lifeguard, but I made it to the end,” he said.

“I actually really enjoyed it, the challenge of it and the mental aspect of training once I got into it, and I found a club called Tri-Mob.

“It’s hopefully the plan for next year, to qualify for Kona in my age group, it’s probably the only sport in the world where you can compete in the World Championships on the same day as the professionals.

“I’m not a professional, I don’t want that to be the message, but I’ll keep going until I make it.”

Norris’ family has been working in mental health in the Indigenous community and he wants to follow suit.

“My mum and my brother do a lot of work in the Aboriginal community and the plan is to spread awareness of Aboriginal lives and culture – celebrating more than anything,” he said.

Bryson Norris' broken helmet after his crash.

Bryson Norris' broken helmet after his crash.

“With our races, the plan is to go to different places around Australia and get to celebrate how different mobs live off the land and celebrating our culture today.”

Norris is now back home in Melbourne recovering.

Being off work, a GoFundMe has been set up to support him while off work and raise funds to replace his broken bike.

His next goal is to return to the football field with his beloved Cougars.

Norris played two senior matches before taking time off to prepare for the triathlon in Cairns, he’s determined to return to the field and help the club play NFNL Division 2 finals.

“I flew back in last Wednesday and I’ve just been at home resting. I went to watch the boys on Saturday,” he said.

DIV 1: EPIC LO VALVO GOAL ENDS BUNDOORA DROUGHT

LEADER: GET YOUR NORTHERN FOOTY NEWS HERE

DIV 2: GREEN COMES UP CLUTCH FOR THOMASTOWN

“I’ve got a broken nose and 60 stitches, so I definitely can’t play until I get the stitches out.

“I’m still a bit unclear on my return (to football), it’s just up to me and the doctors with the nose and concussion when they’re comfortable.

“It was a disappointing loss for the boys on Saturday, so the club just needs everyone out there and I’m keen as well, it’s not fun sitting there watching especially when things aren’t going well.”

More than $3000 has been raised on the GoFundMe.

Originally published as Bryson Norris opens up after a horrendous crash nearly cost him his life