Beardy McBeard: Marcus Enno reveals horrific injuries
Renowned Tasmanian photographer and cyclist ‘Beardy McBeard’, who was cleaned up by a ute on Saturday, has revealed the staggering damage the vehicle did to him while out on a ride. Warning: Graphic >
Tasmania
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A renowned Tasmanian photographer and cyclist who was due to shoot the upcoming Tasmanian legs of the mountain-bike UCI Enduro World Cup will instead be recovering in Royal Hobart Hospital’s trauma unit after “every cyclist’s worst nightmare” happened to him.
Moonah man Marcus Enno, 40, better known as the cycling photographer Beardy McBeard, was riding with a friend on New Norfolk’s Burnett St when, at approximately 9.30am Saturday, a utility vehicle turned right across his path as he descended the hill.
“I didn’t even see him coming. My right leg below the knee hit the bull bar,” Mr Enno told the Mercury.
“It shattered the bone and pressed it out the back of my leg.
“I was thrown across the intersection and landed in foetal position, looking down at my right arm and leg, both twisted into unnatural shapes with bulges and blood coming out.
“I was on the ground for approximately 25–30 minutes before pain relief came. It was all very vivid. It’s every cyclist’s worse nightmare.”
Mr Enno was transported via ambulance to the Royal’s emergency department, where he underwent surgery on his right arm, both bones of which were broken, alongside his hand. The surgery installed two metal plates to stabilise the limb.
He will require a second surgery on his mangled leg but doctors must wait for the swelling to subside before figuring out how best to mend it, Mr Enno said.
“Being such a mess – the bone splintered into a lot of pieces – they couldn’t actually do anything with it at the moment,” he said.
“I could be here for up to two weeks before they can complete the second surgery.”
Mr Enno, who also hosts cycling tours, said his first thought was of his family as he lay bleeding on the pavement.
“It’s been tough but the support’s been amazing. I’ve been spending almost all my waking hours responding to beautiful, kind messages from people that have met me and seen my work,” he said.
Although grateful to be alive, Mr Enno is devastated at missing his upcoming jobs at Maydena Bike Park and Blue Derby, where he was due to shoot the World Cup, which will be televised globally.
“I was really looking forward to that, having such a high profile race in your backyard,” he said.
An online fundraiser for Mr Enno, who will be unable to earn an income for the foreseeable future, and his family has raised more than $38,000 at the time of writing.
Mr Enno, who relocated to Tasmania from his native Sydney – he formerly lived at Bondi – has been inundated with messages of support.
“Such upsetting news and we are right behind you Beardy. Get well soon mate,” Bicycling Australia Magazine posted on its Facebook page on Monday.
Tasmania Police said it is still looking into the circumstances of the collision. No charges have been laid.
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