Toowoomba man John Pullen keen to get back on the bike after terrifying crash

In a remarkable display of resilience, a Toowoomba motorbike rider has shared the details of his terrifying crash, and why he can’t wait to get back in the saddle.

John Pullen recounts his motorbike accident and thanks LifeFlight and QAS, Friday, August 9, 2024. Picture: Kevin Farmer

Just weeks after an crash that left him temporarily bound to a wheelchair, with two legs in braces, John Pullen is already dreaming of getting back on his bike.

Mr Pullen bought himself his first motorcycle four years ago, fulfilling a lifelong dream.

However, on July 24, an afternoon ride to Aratula ended in agony and a helicopter flight to the Gold Coast University Hospital.

Mr Pullen said he joined the Darling Downs chapter of the Ulysses motorcycle club three years ago, with whom he regularly goes on rides all over the region.

“It’s exhilarating,” Mr Pullen said.

John Pullen in a member of the Ulysses motorcycle group.

It was while on one of these rides out through the Maroon Dam hills that Mr Pullen and his Triumph America slipped off the road and down an embankment, smashing into a barbed-wire fence and a gum tree.

“I woke up with my right knee jammed up against the bike, and my left knee underneath the bike, and the bike was entangled in a barbed wire fence,” he said.

“I was very lucky the bike hit the fence first, otherwise it would be a different story.”

He said within minutes, the other riders in the group were with him, picking his bike up off him and helping him get comfortable until emergency services arrived.

“I’ve got a fracture of the right tibia, I’ve got multiple ligament damage in the right knee, medial ligament damage of the left knee.

Mr Pullen recounted the accident in a matter-of-fact tone, but his eyes became glassy.

John Pullen recounts his motorbike accident and thanks LifeFlight and QAS, Friday, August 9, 2024. Picture: Kevin Farmer

He said he thought of his mother, and that in a split second of difference, she could have been left with no one.

“I can’t go anywhere yet,” he said.

He said an ambulance was on scene quickly, and shortly after that he heard the reassuring hum of a LifeFlight helicopter landing in an adjacent paddock.

“I can’t speak highly enough of them.”

The Brisbane-based LifeFlight crew who flew out to help John Pullen. Co-pilot Salman Riaz, LifeFlight critical care doctor Magnus Hedberg, flight nurse Chris Eustace, and pilot in charge Mark Overton.

Since the accident, Mr Pullen, who lives alone in Toowoomba’s south, has been getting by with a little help from his friends.

He said he was able to have his groceries delivered, and even managed to vacuum his house. He has also been fortunate to have the support of his motorcycle club, who he said “can’t do enough,” for him.

The crash scene where John Pullen was seriously injured.

“They’re an absolutely brilliant group of people,” he said.

“They’ve been ringing me ten times per day, wanting to know ‘is there anything I can do’.”

Mr Pullen said while his bike is currently housed in his neighbour’s shed, and needs some TLC before it’s roadworthy again, he’s rearing to get back on.

“I can’t wait to get back on.”