CLIP HANGERS

Some years back (I’m going to guess about 7 ?) Helite came to a CWAM (Coventry and Warkwickshire Advanced Motorcyclists) social evening and gave a presentation on their airvests. Shortly after, a friend of ours (Lee Vigor) was involved in an accident where the airvest saved his life. That was the final push for us, and we went out and bought a vest each … myself one of the original designs, and Tess one of the newly-out Turtle 1’s Over the many miles since, they’ve served us well and always been worn, albeit starting to look a little tired from the many, many hours and weathers they’ve had to endure. Two weeks ago on 4th April, the worst thing happened. On a roundabout in South Wales a car driver decided he wanted to exit the roundabout. Through Tess, and her Tiger 800. He hit her side on, crushing her leg between car and bike, and jettisoning her from the bike. All she saw was sky, floor, sky, floor, before coming to a sudden stop and landing lengthwise onto the kerb at the side of the road. It’s here – half on and half off the kerb – where she came to a stop. Cue 4 Police cars, a Police motorbike, Paramedic car, Ambulance, and 2 hours at the side of the road trying to stabilise her before transport to A&E. Two weeks on, she’s still in hospital (and likely to be there some time) following 4 operations trying to save the leg – things are looking a bit more positive in that way, but the heavy damage to her leg is going to take some time to heal, and may never be the same … she has a long journey ahead of her.

However.
At point of departure from the bike, the Turtle did its thing and deployed. As you can see from the photo below, there’s some scuffing where she’s bounced along the ground, but the main thing to note is the long scuff mark pretty much parallel with (and crossing) her spine.
We firmly, utterly believe that the Helite Turtle airvest saved her, if not from severe spinal damage, then from something much, much worse. As it was, all she’s got on her upper torso (apart from bruising) is 1 cracked vertebrae and 1 cracked rib. Absolutely nothing compared to what could have happened.
So yeah … I guess I’m writing to say, on behalf of myself and Tess … thank you. Not the nicest way to test your product for you, but it bl**dy worked !! Thank you. Because of your product, my wife is still with me.

When, or if, Tess is capable (physically or mentally) of being able to ride again, you can guarantee the first item purchased will be a Helite airvest. Plus, it’s probably time for me to upgrade to a newer model too !