As most people would already know, in January this year, I was involved in a tragic accident on the M7 motorway, which claimed the life of mine & everybodies great friend, Dave Morris.
As we did every weekend, we were out on a bike ride in training for the Australian Ironman Triathlon, a race at which Dave had competed in several times, with this being my first attempt at the Ironman distance .
At approximately 6.30 am, myself & Dave, along with friend & training partner Naomi Perry were traveling along the M7 with the plan to be home at around 9.30 -10am,when according to reports a concrete truck veered off the freeway into the breakdown lane in which we were riding.
The truck fortunately missed Naomi narrowly, but at the same time hit myself from behind before hitting Dave also from behind causing fatal injuries to him.
As a result of this accident we lost one of the most generous, loving and kind hearted people we have ever known. His death has left a massive void in our lives as over the past few years that I had became involved in the sport my family & I became very close to Dave & his lovely wife Jennifer & their beautiful daughter Ainslie.
We still keep in close contact with Jen & Ainslie as well as Naomi, who although she was luckily missed by the truck, saw the whole accident happen & will have the memories of it stuck in her mind forever . She did a tremendous job to make the appropriate calls to emergency help at the time & without her quick reactions I can say that my outcome may not have been as positive as it has turned out.
I consider myself one of the luckiest people in the world to have survived this horrible accident.
After spending nearly 3 ½ months in hospital, 7 weeks of which were in intensive care, I made my way home to my beautiful family, who had obviously been to hell & back in the preceding weeks. My wife Kelly had given birth to our third son, Lachlan, a brother for Max (5) & Samuel (3), only two days before the accident. Not a brilliant start to life for Lachy & definitely not what Kel needed at this time. To say that I missed my wife & boys whilst I was in hospital would be the understatement of the century, but their devotion to me at this time was unbelievable.
Lachlan is now over 9 months old & doesn’t seem to have a care in the world. Our other two boys seem to have settled back into normal life, which is great for us to see.
My wife Kelly has been a tower of strength throughout this whole ordeal and still to this day. I don’t believe that many families could go through this ordeal and remain as tightly knitted as our family has remained.
Most people would remember my Mum, Dad & sisters from my ski racing days & know how much they care for their families. The strength and dedication they have shown throughout this whole ordeal has been second to none.
My injuries from this accident, although very extensive, are coming along well. My life has changed dramatically, but the phonecalls of support from friends & former competitors from the ski racing fraternity have been very comforting to say the least.
A very special thank you to former teammates with who I have formed very special friendships with over the years, with people like Matt & Andrew Taylor ,Stephen Robertson & the Mr Walker crew all helping with their words of encouragement, just to name a few. The list would go on forever if I were to name them all.
Finally, to Dave .You were not only a great mate you were an inspiration to us all. You loved a party but when it was time to knuckle down & do the hard yards you were at the front of the queue. I am a much better person from being involved with you, after spending countless hours Riding,Running & Swimming with you, not to mention the time ski racing with you as our observer. You will never be forgotten mate !
All the best everyone.
Dean Hanckel
