Ricky Blyth: Campbell Town man adjusting to life as an amputee after Lake Leake Highway crash

Sleepless at the back end of a week-long bender and affected by cannabis and MDMA, a Tasmanian man crashed an allegedly stolen motorhome. He knows he messed up – but he wants to tell his story.

A Tasmanian man says he hopes to turn his life around after he fell asleep at the wheel of an allegedly stolen motorhome while under the influence of drugs and lost his leg.

Campbell Town man Ricky Blyth, 41, doesn’t want you to feel sorry for him.

But he does want to tell his story.

Mr Blyth claimed he was asked by a friend to help transport a Toyota motorhome on November 30 back to Campbell Town.

He said it subsequently emerged that the motorhome was stolen, although he claimed not to know it at the time.

Mr Blyth, sleepless at the back end of what he says was a week-long bender, felt his eyes drooping while driving on the Lake Leake Highway in the hours after dawn.

“I started getting the nods, I ran off road couple times and corrected. The last blink, I fell asleep,” he said.

Campbell Town man Ricky Blyth, 41, says he wants to turn his life around after losing his leg in a stolen motor vehicle accident. Picture: Alex Treacy

“I woke up three seconds later when I hit a tree.”

Mr Blyth, who admitted he was affected by MDMA and cannabis, was assisted from the smashed cab by a passer-by.

His right leg was mangled.

“I know the bloke couldn’t look at it. He was horrified, dry retching,” Mr Blyth said.

“Old mate sat with me, held my hand until services got there.

Aftermath of Ricky Blyth's crash on November 30, 2023. Picture: Supplied

“I was holding on until I heard the chopper. That’s when I knew I’d make it.”

Mr Blyth said he remained at Royal Hobart Hospital for 10 days before he was discharged into his new life as an amputee.

He said he is ready to face the uncomfortable questions that arise from his conduct.

“I’ve had a pretty s--- life … but I’ve made my life s---,” Mr Blyth said.

“I’ve been in the junkie life a lot.”

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Mr Blyth is in trouble. But he also wants to turn his life around.

He misses his two young kids, whose mother he is estranged from.

“The last couple of years I feel like I’ve had nothing to live for. [Getting them back] gives me something to work at,” Mr Blyth said.

Campbell Town man Ricky Blyth, 41, says he wants to turn his life around after losing his leg in a stolen motor vehicle accident. Picture: Alex Treacy

Another motivation is wanting to prove to people that losing a leg doesn’t mean losing yourself.

“It’s only a leg. Everyone needs their leg, of course they do, but it’s only a leg,” Mr Blyth said.

“What’s hardest at the moment is seeing people’s responses.

“They don’t know what to say to you.

“I just crack a joke straight away.

“I think an amputee should still feel like a whole person.”

In a statement, Tasmania Police said investigations into Mr Blyth’s crash on November 30 were continuing.

No charges have been laid.