DESPAIR FOR KID WHO BEAT ODDS

Cory Duncan, 21, defied medical opinion after a car crash to walk again. Now, family and mates are grieving his death following a bike accident

FAMILY and friends are closing ranks around the heartbroken mother and brother of a young Cairns man killed in a motorbike crash.

Less than a decade ago when he was just 12, Cory Duncan defied medical odds to not just walk again, but return to his passion for motorbike riding following a horror car crash on the Tablelands which almost claimed his life.

With the help of the Far North community, he fought back from serious head and spinal injuries and was living the life of a normal 21-year-old.

He was out on a ride with his friend along a sand track at Smithfield popular for trail bike riding when tragedy struck on Sunday afternoon.

Police believe he was slowly coming into a left-hand bend about 2pm when his front wheel gripped and twisted, throwing him forward onto the handlebars.

Sergeant Scott Ezard of the Cairns Forensic Crash Unit said the pair initially thought he had been winded, but his condition did not improve and his friend called for help.

Sgt Ezard praised the efforts of the friend who rode to McGregor St to guide ambulances to the scene and arranged for the motorbike to be collected, only to go to Cairns Hospital later to learn his friend had died.

He said Cory’s devastated mother Donna Bormann and elder brother Mitchell were struggling to come to terms with what happened.

“They’re obviously distraught and upset by the circumstances,” he said.

“He was riding with a mate just having a great time on a Sunday afternoon.

“He was very passionate about motorcycles.”

The incident is the second tragedy to strike the family in less than a year after Cory’s father died from pancreatic cancer last August.

Tributes were pouring in for Cory yesterday as the popular Brinsmead man was remembered for his humour and joy for life.

“Whenever he was around there were always smiles and laughter,” close friend Hayden Allen said.

“He was a good mate to all of us, he was like a brother to a lot of us. I miss him so much, I’m lost for words.”

Another friend added: “Too young to go, such a great bloke.”

Pictures: ANNA ROGERS/FACEBOOK SHOCK LOSS: Forensic Crash Unit’s Sgt Scott Ezard on the dirt track where motorbike rider Cory Duncan (above left) sustained injuries from which he later died.