Triumphrat

SpiderTex · 08-08-2005

Just read the note. So sorry to hear this happened.

Lots of best wishes and speedy recovery.

crudmop · 08-08-2005

OH MY GOD!

A group of us headed up to Vermont this weekend - stopped off at a small diner for some lunch, and met Paul outside (Who spoke to me for a few about my Triple) - he was wondering if we were from the sporttourers.net group (which we weren't), and then asked if we mided if he rode along with us.

He then tagged along for a bit with us, and broke off later. Great rider, took the lead for a little while as we snaked our way along 100, then slid in the middle of the group. When we hit route 4, we pulled into a gas station and he continued on - we shared a wave and watched him ride away. This must have happened not long after.

Really nice guy - prayers to him and his family. Wishes for a speedy recovery.

[ This message was edited by: crudmop on 2005-08-08 12:45 ]

thornyissue · 08-08-2005

In our thoughts and prayers.

vonbonds · 08-08-2005

I was browsing ST.N's website and came across this write-up about a member there who saw the aftermath of the accident.

The group I was riding with came upon the aftermath, probably about an hour or so after it happened.

We were on 100 North in Stockbridge, VT and slowed down when we saw a state trooper on the side of the road. This was around 3pm on Friday. Behind the car was a motorcycle leaned up against the guardrail. It was blue, with a hardbag off on the ground. I looked at the tailsection and saw "955." The front of the bike was blocked by the cruiser. As we rode by the cop was picking up some type of clothing/material off the road. It looked like it could have been shredded gear. There was also a helmet laying on the ground. There was no ambulance or other cops there, only a couple of locals looking over at the scene. It took me several minutes to realize that it could be Paul. Once we got to the hotel the desk clerk confirmed that it was him.

That section of road has a very sharp, almost 90 degree right handed turn, going over a bridge. If you go straight there is a dirt road. I can only speculate about what happened. I called the trooper at the scene and he left me a message that basically said Preach didn't negotiate the curve and hit the guardrail. I believe he was riding by himself as no one said they witnessed it. We were apparently one of the first ESTN groups to come upon the scene.

I'm still kind of in shock about the whole thing, as I have been since Friday. I've ridden with Preach several times and came to like him immediately. He would do anything for anyone.

As I said to the group last night, Paul is a man with deep faith. I think the best thing we can do at this point (until we learn about more specific ways to assist him or his family) would be to keep him in your thoughts and prayers.

Tom

crudmop · 08-08-2005

Oh my. This is about 18 miles after we split off from him.

So sad

ctballos · 08-08-2005

I read from a posting by "Hulked Up" a friend of Paul's which said the following:

"I got an email from Paul's friend Denny that he has been upgraded to stable condition. He is heavily sedated and still very much touch and go, but this is the best news I've heard since Friday."

It is time for more good thoughts and wishes. Mine are surely with you.

TomB

Gatorman · 08-08-2005

Paul,
Like most everyone else here, I haven't had the pleasure of meeting you in person, but you're clearly one of the good guys, always willing to help, offering insightful advice and positive energy to the forum.

You are in all our prayers for a fast and complete recovery. Hope you're back in the saddle soon!

Dan

SaddleTramp · 08-08-2005

I just got off the phone with Kat. Kat's sister-in-law is with her, and Kat's doing pretty well considering. Paul's condition is stabilized and is improving, but still quite serious. He's still in the ICU. As Kat was leaving tonight they were removing the intracranial pressure monitor, which indicates that his brain's swelling has subsided ... a very good thing. He is still on the ventilator, and his head and neck are immobilized. They are reducing the amount of sedation and Kat reports that he recognized her voice, and seems to respond to her touch. It'll be a couple of weeks before Paul can be moved.

Kat thanks you all for your good thoughts ... and especially for your prayers ... she mentioned this many times tonight. She asks that you not visit the hospital because Paul must be kept quiet, can't speak (ventilator), and likely would not even know you are there, anyway due to sedation. She also asks that you not call the hospital ... they can't give you information, and the calls distract the staff from their primary responsibilities. It's not just us, she's asked the same of the family. So, for now, watch this thread for news ... you'll get it when I do, 'kay?

Myrddraal · 08-08-2005

Oh no! My thoughts are with you and your family Paul!

DaveM · 08-09-2005

saddletramp,
thank you for the update. This is good news so far.

davem