On our highways and city roads, two-wheeler accidents are among the most common reasons for fractures. What bystanders do in the first hour — the "golden hour" — can make a big difference to the outcome.
1. Make the scene safe
- Switch on hazard lights and stop traffic if you can do it safely
- Switch off the vehicle's engine
- Do not crowd the injured person — keep 2–3 helpers, ask others to step back
2. Call for help
Dial 108 for an ambulance (or 112 for emergency services). Tell them the exact location, number of injured and whether anyone is unconscious or bleeding heavily.
3. Check breathing and bleeding
- If the person is unconscious, check that they are breathing
- Press firmly on any bleeding wound with a clean cloth and keep pressing
- Do not remove objects stuck in a wound
4. Protect the neck and back
If the person complains of neck or back pain, or is unconscious, do not lift them by the arms and legs. Keep the head, neck and body in one line. If you must move them out of danger, slide them carefully with several people supporting the whole body.
Do not remove the helmet unless the person is not breathing — it may protect a neck injury.
5. Support suspected fractures
A limb that is swollen, deformed or extremely painful may be broken:
- Keep it still in the position you found it
- Support it with a rolled newspaper, a board or folded cardboard tied gently
- Do not try to straighten it or massage it
- Do not apply oil, turmeric or a tight bandage
Common mistakes
| Mistake | Why it is harmful |
|---|---|
| Giving water or food | May need surgery; risk of choking |
| Pulling a dislocated joint | Can damage nerves and blood vessels |
| Taking to a bone-setter | Delays proper treatment; wrong healing |
| Waiting to "see if it's okay" | Bleeding and swelling worsen |
Good Samaritans are protected
Under the Good Samaritan guidelines, a person who helps an accident victim cannot be forced to pay hospital bills or be harassed by police. Please don't hesitate to help.
Wear a helmet, every ride. In our trauma practice, it is the single biggest difference between a fracture and a life-changing injury.
