Biker back to thank surgeon

A former patient and Harley Davidson rider visited Frimley Park Hospital in May to thank the surgeon who treated him after an horrific motorbike crash five years ago left him with severe injuries.

David Coleman, 60, from Farnborough, was involved in a collision at junction 4 of the M3 while riding his Harley Davidson on 9 January 2012.

Mr Coleman, who was travelling at 60mph at the time of the crash, sustained fractures to his thigh, arm and thumb as well as bruising to this head and ribs.

He was brought to Frimley Park Hospital where he was placed under the care of orthopaedic surgeon Mr Gareth Hill. Mr Coleman spent the next 18 months in and out of hospital and underwent several operations. 

To mark the five-year anniversary of his crash, Mr Coleman presented Mr Hill with a ceramic poppy from the Tower of London by way of a thank you for the outstanding care he received during his time in hospital.

Mr Coleman is an active supporter of the British Legion and helped plant and pack away the poppies when they were on display at the Tower of London in 2014.

He also is a member of the Royal British Legion’s Riders Branch - a group of motorbike enthusiasts who regularly undertake fundraising events to raise money for the charity.

“I wanted to thank Mr Hill for the amazing care he gave me,” says Mr Coleman. “I got back on a motorbike twenty months after my crash and for that I am incredibly grateful.”

Mr Hill was delighted to see Mr Coleman again and praised his stoic personality.

“David was always so upbeat during his time in hospital. Even when he was in immense pain, he always had a smile on his face and really went out of his way to help the doctors and nurses care for him,” says Mr Hill.

Mr Coleman, who has been left with a severe limp and still experiences waves of pain, continues to ride a Harley Davidson and does not own a car.

“I was born to ride,” he says. “I’ll never give up my bike.”