Over 30,000 people participated in the annual Bridge to Brisbane yesterday morning, marking the 20th year for the charity run. Police were deployed at closed road intersections along the course ensuring the safety of the general public and participants as well as regulating traffic, Queensland Police say.
Under very unfortunate circumstances early on in the event, one of our officers got to meet a very inspiring young man.
That young man is 14-year-old Nathan from Bundaberg. Nathan took part in yesterday’s Bridge to Brisbane elite wheelchair event to raise funds for the Sporting Wheelies and Disabled Association. Nathan has cerebral palsy and wanted to compete in his first road race in Brisbane by entering the Bridge to Brisbane.
Nathan was racing on the course near the front of the field when he crashed into a barrier at reportedly 28 km/hr. Nathan’s father Paul said Nathan went over the barrier and did a complete flip before landing.
Nathan received minor injuries and was helped back into his chair by a police woman nearby. That officer was Acting Sergeant Dani De-Waal from Upper Mount Gravatt Station. After seeing the crash, Acting Sergeant De-Waal ran to give aid to Nathan, whose wheelchair was so badly damaged he could not continue on in the Bridge to Brisbane. Even after knowing he could not finish the event, he still was still able to express his appreciation of the help rendered by Acting Sergeant De-Waal and got his father to take the below picture of them together.
What an incredible young man. Nathan’s smile in the picture says it all!
Nathan has an important school race coming up and now needs to try and fix his wheelchair bike in time.
An inspirational journey Nathan and we wish you all the best.
