By Laura Michell
A Campbellfield cycling club is digging deep to help a member who suffered serious spinal injuries after coming off his bike during a social ride in late December.
Phil Bramich was riding on the Wallan-Wandong Road, heading for Broadford with a group of friends on December 27 when a D-lock from a trailer became caught up in the wheel of his bike.
The lock jammed his wheel, sending Mr Bramich head first over the bike.
The incident left Mr Bramich with an unstable break of his C2 vertebra, hand fractures and cuts to his head.
He had surgery at the Royal Melbourne Hospital and was placed in a halo neck brace, which he will need to wear for three months.
The accident means Mr Bramich – a teacher at Melbourne Polytechnic at Heidelberg – does not know when he will be able to return to work, with a long road of rehabilitation ahead of him.
Northern Cycling has set up a GoFundMe page, as well as rides in honour of Phil. They have raised close to $10,000, with a goal of collecting $15,000.
Mr Bramich said his injuries had left him with “intense” pain and he was learning to adjust to life with the halo.
He credits a motorist who was travelling in the opposite direction at the time of the accident with preventing him from becoming a quadriplegic.
Mr Bramich has since learnt the man was Craigieburn firefighter Dave Stewart, who held his head steady while paramedics arrived.
“I am hoping to meet him and say thanks. For all I know, I could have been a quadriplegic without him. I can breathe and I can feel the pain I am in because of him,” he said.
“I really owe so much gratitude to him.”
Mr Bramich said he was humbled by the fundraiser.
Club secretary Tony Gherxi said the club was keen to support their long-time member and ease the burden on his family.
Details: www.gofundme.com/phil-bramich-fundraiser
