Thursday 7 October 2010

Sturgis Rally Accident

While near the Sturgis Rally, I joined a long queue of vehicles passing a traffic accident site. The emergency services were on the scene and a motorcycle rider had tragically lost his life as a result of the accident. I wrote about this on my blog and speculated about how the accident may have happened.

Yesterday I was contacted by the wife of the fallen rider who said some negative things about that blog posting and subsequent comments. I wish to apologise to her for any upset as a result of her reading my blog. I didn’t mean to cause anybody to be upset by what I wrote, especially the family of the rider. That was the last thing I would have wanted.

Due to the sensitivity of the situation, I have removed the previous post.

My sincerest condolences to the fallen riders family and friends.

6 comments:

SonjaM said...

It is the best you could do under these circumstances. It is hard losing a loved one, and sometimes every word can hurt or be misunderstood. However, without you having posted it, I wouldn't have known about this and remember a rider lost. God's speed to the unknown fellow biker, I feel for the family.

Axel said...

Hmmm... I do not recall in your post any questionable comment. I myself publish every month a list of tragic accidents involving Harley-Davidson riders or passengers, and on balance get more positive then negative feedback. I continue to report, maybe adjust some wrong press speculations, as from every single accident, as tragic and hard is for the loved ones, we all can learn and improve safety, or at least being aware of the self-generating dangers and potential stupidity of others.
http://roadkinguk.wordpress.com/category/r-i-p/

Oz said...

Very gentlemanly of you. May God bless the family of the rider.

Anonymous said...

Gary:
I remember reading that post. I felt sorry for the people who lost a friend and loved one, but I didn't find the post at all inappropriate, and to the contrary, it made me think about the dangers of riding in groups. Still, I think you have shown a lot of class in the manner in which you handled a very delicate situation. Cheers.
DCC

cpa3485 said...

Gary, I remember the post very well. I thought it was in very good taste and am a bit surprised by the reaction you got.
I guess sometimes what you or I might say on a blog can be interpreted in many ways. About 9 months ago, I received an email from a descendent of a person I had written about last fall that took some exception to what I wrote about his ancestor. I did not have the intention of being mean or disparaging about the person, and maybe I could have been a little more careful about what I said or made it clearer about what I was trying to say, but I offended the person.
It was a strange feeling to write later about it, which I did, but at the same time I had feelings that you can't please everybody all the time. No matter what you say or how you say it someone will potentially misinterpret it.
I know you didn't intend to offend anybody, therefore I say just do what feels right. You haven't offended me yet, and I'll continue to read about your excellent adventure and I remain insanely jealous of you accordingly.

Jimbo

Rob said...

Normally I ride alone but this past summer I rode with a few friends in the Buffalo, NY area. It's strange because there are a few more distractions in group riding then I am used too. To make a long story short, I avoided a potential accident by inches. Very scary stuff! The point being is that awareness is a powerful safety tool. My heart goes out to the families of those who have been lost.