‘An accident changed my life’
Stunt bikers who underwent agony post accidents advise others to shun the thrill that may kill
Performing crazy tricks on a high speed motorcycle with two hands punching the air, whizzing by other commuters and giving them a start, was big fun for cousins Danish Ali and Asfahan Ali, both in their mid 20s. But no more. Pain has taught them a lesson.
Danish had a passion for performing stunts on motorcycle, with the ambition to discover the hero in himself. He made his favourite mean machine the medium to realise his dream. His jazzy green bike and the funky raised mudguard of its front wheel meant the world to him. But all this changed once and for all.
Today, there is only f ear and bad memories of what was once an act of fun. Pain in the right part of Danish’s body still persists and doctors say that it would continue till he undergoes another surgery. Multiple fracture in the collarbone made him bed ridden for two long months.
“I regret the fact that I never heeded my parents’ advice. They always cautioned me against the wrong practice and its ill-effects. An unfortunate accident occurred while I was performing bike stunt and everything changed in my life. It is a fact that most stunt performer do not have control or can not keep complete balance on their bikes. I was no exception,” Danish candidly confessed.
He recalled, “I left the motorcycle handle after acceleration. There were some stones on the road and my vehicle slipped. I tried my best to control it but could not do so as I was not a professional. My vehicle dashed into the railings and I fell. Such was the impact that I could not get up. I was taken to the civil hospital where doctors said that my collar bone had been badly damaged.”
It was then that Danish vowed not to risk his life and gave up the bad habit of performing stunts on motorcycle. He remained in hospital for several weeks and even after he was discharged, his mobility remained restricted for quite long. Doctors advised him not to lift heavy objects, as it would aggravate his problem. Now his advice to youngsters is to keep away from stunts as it may permanently spoil their life and career.
His cousin Asfahan Ali has undergone similar trauma, not once but twice. The first accident took place when he was a Class 12 student and was driving his father’s new scooter. But the more serious accident occurred when he was performing stunts on motorcycle in Aliganj. He suffered bruises all over his body.
The injuries got healed but the scars (read bad memories) refuse to fade. Now he prefers to travel by public transport rather than his motorcycle.
He too cautioned youngsters not to take such risks. Asfahan blamed motorcycle manufacturers for encouraging stunts by making high-speed bikes and organising stunt competitions. According to him, it encourages young blood to take the plunge. The government machineries should take action and stop such events from taking place, he said. Another biker Mohd Akram Faraz, 26, a medical student, once had a passion for performing stunts on bikes. “But all this is history . Now I educate youngsters on safe driving and using the helmet. also ensure that their children do not drive motorcycles before they are 18, as one should not expect police to do everything. “