Jessy Nelson Interview with TWMX

jimmie
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Huntington Beach, CA, USA
9/27/2016 5:39pm
Chandler
Bailey
Button
Distefano
James Marshall
Fonseca
Henry
...and 22 year old Jessy Nelson...
Just to name a few.
DAMN, this sport is brutal!!!!!!
I so love this sport but,
Breaks my heart.
DAMN!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Hopes, and certainly prayers to Jessy and his fellow surviving moto buddies.
DAMN!!!!!!!
hillbilly
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Afton, TN, USA
9/27/2016 6:20pm
I was thinking the same thing Hillbilly... I wonder if this happened at a supercross in say downtown San Diego, where he was instantly at a...
I was thinking the same thing Hillbilly... I wonder if this happened at a supercross in say downtown San Diego, where he was instantly at a hospital with top notch doctors if anything would be different for Jessy? Huge bummer
He rode ambulance to the hospital right?

The guys that scraped me up would not let dad and wade help carry 200 feet to the wagon. When going out my drive they take the fork that was steep as a mules face. At the bottom he slams stop and the stretcher goes forward driving my head into something. I cussed them all the way to the hospital.

Then,when they stuff me in the heli the size of a vw backseat the door slams on my head. At this time I'm neck down and figure this is it. Oh,the 1st hospital said I'd be going home till some doctor saw the break.

I mean you couldn't make it up.

I've never been scared but that time,never been so scared. But,somehow i was the luckiest or blessed guy on the planet.

My doc told me 99percent die on the spot,the other 1 percent wither away. He had never seen anyone recover.

I walked out,shuffled out the hospital a week later.

I think jessy will do the same, it is just needing time to repair,I really do.
yzjs7
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9/27/2016 6:21pm
Depressing
Jimmy_Sloan
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9/27/2016 7:10pm
Best of luck to you, Jessy. That was tough to read, and to think it's happened in the prime of his life...sad. It sounds like he has a lot of support from family and friends which is good.

The Shop

JRT812
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9/27/2016 7:36pm
Bummer to read, but I wish him the best!
Brokelegmtn
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9/27/2016 8:04pm
http://rewalk.com Maybe this can help Jessy get back some feeling if he doesn't know about this already.
endurox
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9/27/2016 8:04pm
jimmie wrote:
Chandler Bailey Button Distefano James Marshall Fonseca Henry ...and 22 year old Jessy Nelson... Just to name a few. DAMN, this sport is brutal!!!!!! I so...
Chandler
Bailey
Button
Distefano
James Marshall
Fonseca
Henry
...and 22 year old Jessy Nelson...
Just to name a few.
DAMN, this sport is brutal!!!!!!
I so love this sport but,
Breaks my heart.
DAMN!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Hopes, and certainly prayers to Jessy and his fellow surviving moto buddies.
DAMN!!!!!!!
a few more
Bit Bierer
Mitch Mayes
Mitch Payton

AMA needs to make it manditory for neck, chest and back protection. HRP flack jak style. Nascar has manditory safety gear so why not Motocrossers.
logan_140
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Lakeland, FL, USA
9/27/2016 10:04pm
I was thinking the same thing Hillbilly... I wonder if this happened at a supercross in say downtown San Diego, where he was instantly at a...
I was thinking the same thing Hillbilly... I wonder if this happened at a supercross in say downtown San Diego, where he was instantly at a hospital with top notch doctors if anything would be different for Jessy? Huge bummer
hillbilly wrote:
He rode ambulance to the hospital right? The guys that scraped me up would not let dad and wade help carry 200 feet to the wagon...
He rode ambulance to the hospital right?

The guys that scraped me up would not let dad and wade help carry 200 feet to the wagon. When going out my drive they take the fork that was steep as a mules face. At the bottom he slams stop and the stretcher goes forward driving my head into something. I cussed them all the way to the hospital.

Then,when they stuff me in the heli the size of a vw backseat the door slams on my head. At this time I'm neck down and figure this is it. Oh,the 1st hospital said I'd be going home till some doctor saw the break.

I mean you couldn't make it up.

I've never been scared but that time,never been so scared. But,somehow i was the luckiest or blessed guy on the planet.

My doc told me 99percent die on the spot,the other 1 percent wither away. He had never seen anyone recover.

I walked out,shuffled out the hospital a week later.

I think jessy will do the same, it is just needing time to repair,I really do.
Unbelievable they didnt med flight him.. I've seen people get med flights for a femur...
PressPassP
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9/28/2016 2:38am
I know what he's going through and it's incredibly hard but time is your best friend...
Ramrod
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9/28/2016 4:58am
Not many of us can put ourselves in Jessy's shoes (Except for maybe Rcampbell99) but that interview gives us a glimpse.

He's frustrated, bitter and mad. He has every right to be. Tough situation for a kid that had everything going for him and for it to all change.

His girlfriend is doing a phenomenal job supporting him right now.

All the best to Nelson, I hope time helps him and things work out well.
rhargrave431
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Kalispell, MT, USA
9/28/2016 6:06am
I was thinking the same thing Hillbilly... I wonder if this happened at a supercross in say downtown San Diego, where he was instantly at a...
I was thinking the same thing Hillbilly... I wonder if this happened at a supercross in say downtown San Diego, where he was instantly at a hospital with top notch doctors if anything would be different for Jessy? Huge bummer
hillbilly wrote:
He rode ambulance to the hospital right? The guys that scraped me up would not let dad and wade help carry 200 feet to the wagon...
He rode ambulance to the hospital right?

The guys that scraped me up would not let dad and wade help carry 200 feet to the wagon. When going out my drive they take the fork that was steep as a mules face. At the bottom he slams stop and the stretcher goes forward driving my head into something. I cussed them all the way to the hospital.

Then,when they stuff me in the heli the size of a vw backseat the door slams on my head. At this time I'm neck down and figure this is it. Oh,the 1st hospital said I'd be going home till some doctor saw the break.

I mean you couldn't make it up.

I've never been scared but that time,never been so scared. But,somehow i was the luckiest or blessed guy on the planet.

My doc told me 99percent die on the spot,the other 1 percent wither away. He had never seen anyone recover.

I walked out,shuffled out the hospital a week later.

I think jessy will do the same, it is just needing time to repair,I really do.
logan_140 wrote:
Unbelievable they didnt med flight him.. I've seen people get med flights for a femur...
Unadilla is the most remote facility correct? From what I understand, it's a long ways from anything. I think proper steps need to be taken at such remote locations to have the best possible care on site, or in very easy access. GuyB, was he given an ambulance ride or did he get flown out?
mxracer816
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9/28/2016 6:10am
logan_140 wrote:
Unbelievable they didnt med flight him.. I've seen people get med flights for a femur...
I want to say they won't normally chopper you out with a spine or neck injury in most cases. I may be totally off base because I can't place who told me, but maybe someone here with some EMT training can chime in?
DC
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Morgantown, WV, USA
9/28/2016 6:24am
That was a difficult read and really good work by Donn Maeda...

Jessy was taken in an ambulance because the choppers could not fly due to the imminent storm that was coming to the area. If you were there you would remember how harsh that storm was that hit right after the second 450 moto, as most of the teams were still tearing down. It was unfortunate timing for Jessy but there was no way either of the local medical helicopter units would go up with that storm coming.

Needless to say, we all really hope things get better for Jessy and his girlfriend and his whole family. He's a great kid and an inspiration to everyone.

DC
KC435
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Kansas City, MO, USA
9/28/2016 7:25am
Prove the doctor wrong, Jessy .
Rcampbell99
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9/28/2016 7:47am
mxracer816 wrote:
I want to say they won't normally chopper you out with a spine or neck injury in most cases. I may be totally off base because...
I want to say they won't normally chopper you out with a spine or neck injury in most cases. I may be totally off base because I can't place who told me, but maybe someone here with some EMT training can chime in?
I was flown out, but I was at a local track about an hour from the hospital with a tight winding road leading the way out.

Don't get me started on the chopper personnel... they started my chopper ride off by immediately overdosing me with pain meds and putting me in a coma. Atleast I was asleep for the next two days straight I guess....

I was never knocked out like Jessy, thanks to my 6D. I'm not sure if I'd of rather been knocked out or awake. It sucked going to move myself off the track out of the race line and realizing nothing works but my arms...
Zaugg
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9/28/2016 9:20am
jimmie wrote:
Chandler Bailey Button Distefano James Marshall Fonseca Henry ...and 22 year old Jessy Nelson... Just to name a few. DAMN, this sport is brutal!!!!!! I so...
Chandler
Bailey
Button
Distefano
James Marshall
Fonseca
Henry
...and 22 year old Jessy Nelson...
Just to name a few.
DAMN, this sport is brutal!!!!!!
I so love this sport but,
Breaks my heart.
DAMN!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Hopes, and certainly prayers to Jessy and his fellow surviving moto buddies.
DAMN!!!!!!!
endurox wrote:
a few more Bit Bierer Mitch Mayes Mitch Payton AMA needs to make it manditory for neck, chest and back protection. HRP flack jak style. Nascar...
a few more
Bit Bierer
Mitch Mayes
Mitch Payton

AMA needs to make it manditory for neck, chest and back protection. HRP flack jak style. Nascar has manditory safety gear so why not Motocrossers.
These are names of the people at the top level of the sport. Many more, I'm sure, could be added to that list.

...an no we don't need mandatory neck, chest, and back protection. Knee jerk reaction to incidents like this are OVER REACTIONS.

This is a dangerous sport and anyone who thinks a piece of safety equipment is going to actually keep them safe from every potential injury is living in a dream world.

This was an accident. It sucks and we all want Jessy and anyone else who has suffered a similar injury to heal. Don't make this a cause for safety equipment. Make it a cause to help a fallen rider.
gt80rider
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Boulder, CO, USA
9/28/2016 9:54am
Zaugg wrote:
These are names of the people at the top level of the sport. Many more, I'm sure, could be added to that list. ...an no we...
These are names of the people at the top level of the sport. Many more, I'm sure, could be added to that list.

...an no we don't need mandatory neck, chest, and back protection. Knee jerk reaction to incidents like this are OVER REACTIONS.

This is a dangerous sport and anyone who thinks a piece of safety equipment is going to actually keep them safe from every potential injury is living in a dream world.

This was an accident. It sucks and we all want Jessy and anyone else who has suffered a similar injury to heal. Don't make this a cause for safety equipment. Make it a cause to help a fallen rider.
Knee jerk overreaction? I have been saying for 30 F'n years that we should be wearing "real" back and neck protection. I think the same today as I thought back then- most people basically wear none/zero. None/zero protection gets us where we are today, with more people in chairs than I care to think about.

What you advocate is ZERO protection. Us 30 years knee jerkers propose wearing some sort of advanced protection, just like we wear on our heads and on our feet.

And btw, you are the overreactioner, saying crap like "anyone who thinks a piece of safety equipment is going to actually keep them safe from every potential injury is living in a dream world", full well knowing nobody thinks that. What we do think is that if some Real F'n protection was used maybe we could keep 10 guys, or 5 guys, or even 1 guy out of a chair a year. Read that interview again. Even if one guy is kept out of a chair because of mandated safety gear it was the right call. And I am not arguing for f'n witchcraft, I am arguing for real next-gen high-end safety gear, not thin pieces of plastic that might do as much harm as good.

I am sick and F'n tired of idiots like you, who argue that no protection is better than some. What, riding with a helmet is smart, but riding with nex-gen neck/back protection is stupid? How many times do you ride without a helmet? Is your head that much more precious than your ability to walk?

ACBraap
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Fantasy
9/28/2016 9:59am
DC wrote:
That was a difficult read and really good work by Donn Maeda... Jessy was taken in an ambulance because the choppers could not fly due to...
That was a difficult read and really good work by Donn Maeda...

Jessy was taken in an ambulance because the choppers could not fly due to the imminent storm that was coming to the area. If you were there you would remember how harsh that storm was that hit right after the second 450 moto, as most of the teams were still tearing down. It was unfortunate timing for Jessy but there was no way either of the local medical helicopter units would go up with that storm coming.

Needless to say, we all really hope things get better for Jessy and his girlfriend and his whole family. He's a great kid and an inspiration to everyone.

DC
On that note, what are your thoughts on the track conditions that many have said contributed to the risk of such a crash (high speed and deep ruts)? Will MX sports be revising track maintenance, or considering requiring full chest protectors?
DC
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9/28/2016 10:18am
ACBraap, it is very difficult in America to mandate specific safety equipment like a chest protector, because of the liability situation -- if you make it mandatory and rider still gets hurt, or argues that he was hurt because of the safety equipment -- it can get really complicated in a hurry. We will continue to advocate that riders wear as much safety equipment as they can or feel comfortable with, and hopefully more will choose chest protectors and neck braces.

As for revising track maintenance, there were ruts in the area where Jessy crashed, but it was by no means high-speed. Jessy suffered an unfortunate crash and the bike bounced and landed on him. Had it been smooth and high speed, it might have been a different type of crash in a different area -- that's the physics and challenges that come with racing motorcycles. We will continue to do the best we can to provide safe and competitive race tracks.

DC
yak651
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Fantasy
9/28/2016 10:33am
DC wrote:
ACBraap, it is very difficult in America to mandate specific safety equipment like a chest protector, because of the liability situation -- if you make it...
ACBraap, it is very difficult in America to mandate specific safety equipment like a chest protector, because of the liability situation -- if you make it mandatory and rider still gets hurt, or argues that he was hurt because of the safety equipment -- it can get really complicated in a hurry. We will continue to advocate that riders wear as much safety equipment as they can or feel comfortable with, and hopefully more will choose chest protectors and neck braces.

As for revising track maintenance, there were ruts in the area where Jessy crashed, but it was by no means high-speed. Jessy suffered an unfortunate crash and the bike bounced and landed on him. Had it been smooth and high speed, it might have been a different type of crash in a different area -- that's the physics and challenges that come with racing motorcycles. We will continue to do the best we can to provide safe and competitive race tracks.

DC
I've heard this argument before (about additional liability if you require it), but don't understand it. It's been talked about before in mud races with taking goggles off. If someone lost a eye can they come after you because you didn't require them to wear goggles after a start of a race? Snocross requires you to wear upper back protection. Nascar requires you to wear HANS, NFL with pads, etc.

What about Jessy's statement on the track markers that were staked in?
Moto391
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9/28/2016 10:37am
DC wrote:
ACBraap, it is very difficult in America to mandate specific safety equipment like a chest protector, because of the liability situation -- if you make it...
ACBraap, it is very difficult in America to mandate specific safety equipment like a chest protector, because of the liability situation -- if you make it mandatory and rider still gets hurt, or argues that he was hurt because of the safety equipment -- it can get really complicated in a hurry. We will continue to advocate that riders wear as much safety equipment as they can or feel comfortable with, and hopefully more will choose chest protectors and neck braces.

As for revising track maintenance, there were ruts in the area where Jessy crashed, but it was by no means high-speed. Jessy suffered an unfortunate crash and the bike bounced and landed on him. Had it been smooth and high speed, it might have been a different type of crash in a different area -- that's the physics and challenges that come with racing motorcycles. We will continue to do the best we can to provide safe and competitive race tracks.

DC
What about the track marker that is typically movable potentially lulling Jessy into a false sense of security assuming he hits it it moves, but, on this occasion it was staked in and didn't budge when his bars hit which then appeared to knock the grip out of his hands causing him to lose control in the rut.

I know that if i was riding down a flat track and something tagged my bars i would go down let alone trying to negotiate an off camber rut.

Will you be modifying the track markers and how they are secured for 2017?
newmann
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9/28/2016 10:39am
I remember a few years back some guy who could not move even a finger for six months came riding to my house on the far side of Texas from San Diego on a bicycle. There was a minor setback (he broke the f$%^ing end of his elbow off) but after a few screws were installed he continued on all the way to Daytona. Gives real world meaning to "Never Quit". Some of you may notice the 77 decals as that was shortly after Ian Trettels accident.



He didn't even bother to put his name on the list, but he did sum it up quite well at the bottom.




DC
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9/28/2016 10:53am Edited Date/Time 9/28/2016 10:57am
Moto391, first of all, the same marker was hit by RJ Hampshire in practice and it fell and actually braced his fall. They are very lightweight and made of rubber. We typically brace them with one wooden post, on the side away from the track, so they spin or turn like a gate if a rider gets too close to one that he hits it. That has worked well over the years -- we started using them more after I believe Barcia hit that giant hay bale in Texas and bounced over and broke Marvin Musquin's hand, and Eli Tomac got pulled off his bike when he hit the tree at Southwick.

I believe the yellow track marker did budge in Jessy's case, and I don't agree that he was "lulled into a false sense of security" because he made the mistake before he hit the barrier, not because he hit it. It was just a strange crash on the inside of an off-camber corner with terrible consequence after the bike hit him, and we will continue to work on making the tracks and the markers around them as safe as possible, while also keeping them competitive and challenging. We have been trying to learn all we can from Jessy's crash, just as we do with pretty much every crash.

DC
TXDirt
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9/28/2016 11:01am
yak651 wrote:
I've heard this argument before (about additional liability if you require it), but don't understand it. It's been talked about before in mud races with taking...
I've heard this argument before (about additional liability if you require it), but don't understand it. It's been talked about before in mud races with taking goggles off. If someone lost a eye can they come after you because you didn't require them to wear goggles after a start of a race? Snocross requires you to wear upper back protection. Nascar requires you to wear HANS, NFL with pads, etc.

What about Jessy's statement on the track markers that were staked in?
I think the most difficult part of "mandating" safety equipment in motocross is the amount of variables when it comes to trying to model an accident. The HANS device was developed using models that could simulate speed, angle, impact force, inertia, return force, etc.

These are variables that are near impossible to model in motocross because each crash is so different and the rider is independent of the machine. Whereas in NASCAR, the body is not independent of the machine.

For these reasons it makes it impossible to model and validate whether a piece of safety gear works or does not work.

If you could figure out a way to model a motocross crash, and then be able to independently verify through testing that a piece of safety equipment does help, then the racing organization could mandate it and have the proper testing and verification bodies behind them. Very similar to DOT/SNELL testing for helmets.
huck
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9/28/2016 11:01am Edited Date/Time 9/28/2016 11:10am
Newsflash...motocross is dangerous. It sucks that Jessy had such a terrible injury. People get paralyzed every day. It sucks and it's sad. However blaming a rut, or a plastic/rubber corner marker is absolutely ridiculous.

Also, requiring the riders to wear certain protective gear is crazy too. If they want to wear a suit of armor, I believe it's within their rights to wear one.
WhipMeister
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Big D, TX, USA
9/28/2016 11:29am
Gutted for Jessy. Hang tough.

So hard to read. I am so freaking lucky. T6 & T10 compression, L2 burst fractures from crash on January 30. Lost all feeling below the waist on impact, but that came back in a few minutes. L2 spinal fusion surgery. Still have some sensory issues, but thankfully all motor function has returned. 12 hour surgery, lost a ton of weight, unable to do much for first month or so. I have good insurance, thank God. It's been a tough year, but almost all the way back, now.
Moto391
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GB
9/28/2016 11:32am
DC wrote:
Moto391, first of all, the same marker was hit by RJ Hampshire in practice and it fell and actually braced his fall. They are very lightweight...
Moto391, first of all, the same marker was hit by RJ Hampshire in practice and it fell and actually braced his fall. They are very lightweight and made of rubber. We typically brace them with one wooden post, on the side away from the track, so they spin or turn like a gate if a rider gets too close to one that he hits it. That has worked well over the years -- we started using them more after I believe Barcia hit that giant hay bale in Texas and bounced over and broke Marvin Musquin's hand, and Eli Tomac got pulled off his bike when he hit the tree at Southwick.

I believe the yellow track marker did budge in Jessy's case, and I don't agree that he was "lulled into a false sense of security" because he made the mistake before he hit the barrier, not because he hit it. It was just a strange crash on the inside of an off-camber corner with terrible consequence after the bike hit him, and we will continue to work on making the tracks and the markers around them as safe as possible, while also keeping them competitive and challenging. We have been trying to learn all we can from Jessy's crash, just as we do with pretty much every crash.

DC
Thanks for your response DC.

Just goes to show improvements are always being made by you and your team without a big fanfare regarding the Barcia and Tomac incidents.

I guess when the injury is as serious as Jessy's situations get over analysed, if he had just got back on his bike there would be no questions.

Deep down we all want to believe there is a solution to prevent such a severe injury whether its the track setup or rider protection, but, in reality as mentioned before freak accidents do occur even after the necessary precautions are taken and this is something we have to accept.

I wish Jessy all the best for the future and thanks for your hard work DC.

I look forward to visiting a National again soon which is always the priority in my schedule when booking dates for a US trip!

C-Rock
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FR
9/28/2016 12:06pm
Yeah, it was kinda heart breaking to read...
I sincerely wish him all the best and hope he'll recover as much as possible.
HenryA
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9/28/2016 12:28pm
Ugh, very hard to read. Wishing the best...
Mit12
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9/28/2016 2:12pm
DC wrote:
ACBraap, it is very difficult in America to mandate specific safety equipment like a chest protector, because of the liability situation -- if you make it...
ACBraap, it is very difficult in America to mandate specific safety equipment like a chest protector, because of the liability situation -- if you make it mandatory and rider still gets hurt, or argues that he was hurt because of the safety equipment -- it can get really complicated in a hurry. We will continue to advocate that riders wear as much safety equipment as they can or feel comfortable with, and hopefully more will choose chest protectors and neck braces.

As for revising track maintenance, there were ruts in the area where Jessy crashed, but it was by no means high-speed. Jessy suffered an unfortunate crash and the bike bounced and landed on him. Had it been smooth and high speed, it might have been a different type of crash in a different area -- that's the physics and challenges that come with racing motorcycles. We will continue to do the best we can to provide safe and competitive race tracks.

DC
Well said DC.

Getting injured sucks, injured like Jessy is way beyound what most of us can comprehend. I feel for the kid and I wish him the best in his recovery. The facts are in the society that we live in with its blame and sue-happy legal system it is amazing that companies are willing to make chest, neck and back protection devices.
Get well soon Jessy.

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