Far North cyclist John King shares recovery story after Bruce Hwy crash

A Far North cyclist who spent two months in hospital after a freak highway crash that almost paralysed him has set some incredible goals for his recovery.

Goldsborough Valley resident John King is lucky to be alive after crashing his bicycle at high speed into a stationary vehicle that had pulled over in a bike lane on October 13. The 57-year-old ex-navy serviceman was seriously injured, breaking his spine and jaw, and needed skin grafts to his face. Since coming out a coma, John has been receiving intense rehabilitation at the CHHHS sub acute care ward in Manoora, and was discharged on Friday. Picture: Brendan Radke

A Far North cyclist who spent two months in hospital after a freak highway crash that almost paralysed him has set some incredible goals for his recovery.

John King, 57, a retired navy surveyor living at Goldsborough considered himself lucky to be alive and home by Christmas, after he suffered multiple spinal and facial injuries following a crash on October 13.

And after being in a coma for 10 days and spending about two months in hospital care, Mr King, who is only just regaining basic motor skills has already set himself some bullish goals including riding 100km by the end of 2025 and climbing Mt Everest by 2027.

He credits his incredible recovery to the dedicated health care professionals at Cairns and Hinterland Hospital and Health Service.

The avid cycling enthusiast who rides “a few hundred kilometres” per week was on a casual Saturday morning ride that he can now barely remember.

Riding his usual route from his home at Goldsborough to Cairns, he was about 20km into his journey when he collided with a stationary vehicle on the side of the Bruce Hwy at Wrights Creek.

Goldsborough Valley resident John King is lucky to be alive after crashing his bicycle at high speed into a stationary vehicle that had pulled over in a bike lane on October 13. John has a list of short term and long term goals stuck to the wall of his room in the CHHHS sub acute care ward in Manoora. Picture: Brendan Radke

“I don’t ride on the footpaths, I ride on roads; with the footpaths there’s too much debris like broken glass,” Mr King said.

As for hitting a stationary vehicle, he explained long distance riders kept their heads pointed down to focus on the immediate road environment, and only on occasion looked up.

“I don’t remember anything of the accident, I don’t even remember leaving home, I don’t remember any ambulance rides.”

His first memories would be about 10 days later, when he woke from his coma and he was being asked by health practitioners if he had any movement.

Goldsborough Valley resident John King is lucky to be alive after crashing his bicycle at high speed into a stationary vehicle that had pulled over in a bike lane on October 13. Picture: Brendan Radke

“I moved my hand a little, just,” Mr King said.

Mr King initially had emergency surgery to clean his extensive facial wounds and a surgical airway was inserted directly into his trachea to support his breathing, which was impeded by his facial fractures.

He went on to have a surgery which reconstructed many broken bones in his face by the maxillofacial surgery team.

He also had multiple nasal surgeries including graft placement and nasal reconstruction by the plastic surgery team.

He had several broken vertebrae, which were not operated on.

Less than a month later, Mr King was transferred to the Cairns and Hinterland Hospital and Health Service’s sub acute care unit in Manoora on November 15 where he began the long rehabilitation journey.

Goldsborough Valley resident John King is working through his rehabilitation exercises every day. Picture: Brendan Radke

That included basic movements and conditioning after he’d lost about 10kg of muscle.

“At first I couldn’t even get out of bed and stand up without falling over,” Mr King said in late December, when he was then able to walk without support and ride an exercise bike.

Discharged on December 20, almost two months after his crash, Mr King said he would now rely on the structure and motivation skills he had gained in the navy to achieve his physical goals, including riding 100km before the end of 2025.

“Cycling is a need for me – it keeps my mind active and keeps me from locking myself up in a house.”

Mr King said he wanted to share his story primarily to thank all the health care staff from the emergency department to the physios, nurses and nutritionists who had aided his journey.

“I’ve been here a long time, I see them a lot and some of them work long shifts, but they’ve always been really wonderful to me.”

Originally published as Far North cyclist John King shares recovery story after Bruce Hwy crash