Louise Gourlay experienced a severe accident while riding her motorcycle back from a Harley Davidson event in Hillington with her partner.
A tragic motorcycle accident on the M8 resulted in Louise Gourlay sustaining a severe ‘shark bite’ injury to her leg after colliding with her partner’s bike.
The incident occurred on July 31 along the eastbound section of the M8 near Coatbridge. Louise was returning home from a peaceful motorcycle ride following a Harley Davidson bike night in Hillington with her partner.
According to reports from Glasgow Live, the accident happened when Louise, a 39-year-old general manager at an outsourced contact center from Glasgow, noticed debris on the left lane and decided to switch to the middle lane.
It was during this maneuver that her Honda CL500 collided with her partner’s bike at a speed of 65mph, causing her to be thrown approximately 50 meters before crashing into the central reservation of the motorway.
Louise recalled a moment during the crash when she believed she would not survive. “They say you have a quiet moment where you accept that this is how you’re going to die, and I had that,” she remarked.
“When my body finally stopped moving, I initially thought I had hit a car. However, when I touched the ground with my hand and it felt different, I realized I was half on the central reservation,” she added.
Fortunately, Louise’s fiancé managed to maintain control of his bike, and her relief at knowing he was safe was immense. “The only thing that mattered was that he was okay,” she said.
When she regained consciousness, an off-duty nurse, along with another male driver, rushed to her aid while her partner hurried back to her. Three cars stopped to block traffic, ensuring her safety. Despite wearing full protective gear, Louise felt intense pain, describing her right leg as “on fire.”
“It was an indescribable pain, like nothing I had ever experienced before. My right boot was completely gone, as was half my sock, and honestly, my feet looked mangled,” Louise detailed.
It took approximately 30 minutes for an ambulance to arrive, during which Louise was in excruciating pain. The damage to her leg was severe, resembling a ‘shark bite’ due to the bike tire ripping her skin apart.
She was immediately taken to the Queen Elizabeth University Hospital, where she underwent four surgeries. “I’ve had multiple operations on my lower leg, including skin grafts and a BTM procedure to help rebuild the area. At one point, doctors even considered amputation,” she explained.
Louise also sustained multiple fractures and ligament damage to her right foot, along with broken toes and fingers. “My helmet truly saved my life. That’s why these things are so expensive,” she asserted.
After nearly a month in the hospital, she was discharged on August 22. However, she now relies heavily on her fiancé, who has become her primary caregiver as she continues her recovery at home.
“The accident has stripped me of my independence. I can’t walk, wash, or dress myself without help. I can barely make it to the toilet on my own,” Louise shared.
The couple had recently purchased their first home together in North Lanarkshire, but they were unprepared for such a life-altering event. They now have a single bed in their living room to accommodate Louise’s needs. They are hoping to make necessary adaptations to their home, but with Louise on sick leave and her husband as her sole caregiver, finances are tight.
Louise continued, “Right now, we have a step-over bath that I can’t use. The toilet is too close to the wall for any rails to be installed, and I need a ramp leading to the front door.”
Amidst her recovery and rehabilitation, Louise is also facing significant financial stress with mounting bills and the need for home modifications. She has recently started a GoFundMe campaign in hopes of raising funds to make their home more accessible, as well as alleviating some of the financial pressures from monthly expenses.
“This is never something I would normally do, but I feel there’s no other choice,” she expressed.
Louise has two more surgeries scheduled, with the possibility of additional operations in the future. She has also been referred to a trauma service for PTSD-like symptoms and flashbacks.
To support Louise’s recovery and home modifications, donations can be made to her GoFundMe campaign.
Hi, I’m Benjamin, a member of the Sherburne County Citizen team. With a passion for writing and a deep interest in current affairs, I thoroughly enjoy bringing you the latest news and trends that affect our daily lives.
