Biker Louise Gourlay came off her bike as she was enjoying a “peaceful” ride home with her partner after the pair had enjoyed a Harley Davidson bike night in Hillington.
Louise Gourlay suffered a nasty injury, leaving her “stripped” of her independence (Image: Supplied)
A woman suffered a horrific ‘shark bite’ leg injury on the M8 after her motorbike smashed into her partner’s.
The nasty incident happened on July 31 on the eastbound stretch of the busy travel route, near Coatbridge. Biker Louise Gourlay came off her bike as she was enjoying a “peaceful” ride home with her partner after the pair had enjoyed a Harley Davidson bike night in Hillington.
As Glasgow Live reports, horror struck when the 39-year-old from Glasgow spotted a piece of debris ahead on the left lane, which is when she decided to move into the middle.
It was at this moment her Honda CL500 crashed into her partner’s bike at 65mph. Louise, a general manager at an outsourced contact centre, was sent tumbling around 50 metres before coming to a stop after her body hit the motorways central reservation.
Louise also suffered multiple fractures and ligament damage(Image: Supplied)
Louise has told how she “accepted” she was going to die. She said: “They say you have a quiet moment where you accept that this is how you’re going to die, and I had that.
“My body stopped after it hit something, and at first I thought it was a car. But I tapped the ground with my hand and thought ‘hmm that doesn’t feel dead’, that’s when I realised I was half way on the central reservation”.
Fortunately, Louise’s fiancé managed to stay upright on his bike and she said knowing he was okay was the “only thing that mattered”.
When she opened her eyes, an off duty nurse came to her aid, alongside another male driver, while her partner ran back towards her. Three cars had stopped behind Louise, ensuring traffic was not oncoming. And despite being in shock and wearing full rated biker gear, she felt like her whole right leg was “on fire”.
Louise said her helmet was a “literal life saver”(Image: Supplied)
Louise said: “It was like nothing I had ever felt before, it felt like my right leg was on fire. I looked down and my right boot had gone, as well as half my sock…and to be honest, my feet looked minced.”
Louise said it took around half an hour for an ambulance to arrive, during which time she “screamed” in agony . It turns out her leg had went under one of the bikes tyre, completely ripping the skin and leaving her with a horrific “shark bite” injury.
Louise was rushed to the Queen Elizabeth University Hospital where she went on to have four surgeries. “I’ve had multiple surgeries on my lower leg including skin grafts and a BTM to help reconstruct the area – I was actually looking at the possibility of amputation.”
Louise also suffered multiple fractures and ligament damage across the top of her right foot, and broke two of her toes and fingers. She said her helmet was a “literal life saver. That’s why these things cost so much”.
After nearly a month in hospital, she was discharged on August 22, however, has now been left totally dependent on her fiancé, who at the moment is her sole carer while she recovers from home.
Louise said her helmet was a “literal life saver”(Image: Supplied)
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“The accident has stripped me of my independence, ability to walk, wash, and dress myself. I can barely make it to the toilet alone”, Louise said.
The couple bought their first home together in North Lanarkshire last year however, did not prepare for a “life-altering accident”, with a single bed now in their downstairs living room for Louise. They are hoping to make adaptations to their home, however, with Louise on sick pay and her husband being her helping hand, money is tight.
Louise continued: “Right now we have a step over bath to shower, which I can’t use. The toilet is also too close to the wall for any rails to be fitted and I need a ramp leading to the front door”.
Louise has been left suffering flashbacks(Image: Supplied)
On top of recovery and rehabilitation, Louise is facing financial stress with bills “racking up”, and home adaptations. She has recently created a GoFundMe in the hopes to raise some cash to get their home where it needs to be, as well as taking some pressures away with regard to monthly bills.
She said this is “never something” she’d usually do but “feels there’s no other option”.
Louise explained that she has two further surgeries to come, and possibly more down the line. She has also been referred to a trauma service due to PTSD like symptoms and flashbacks.
To donate to Louise’s GoFundMe, click here.