More Crashes Yikes!

[Rich Wilcox]

More crashes, I hope you are ok Gary! I was just going to send a status and I saw Tom’s email. Thanks so much to George for picking up and bringing my bike to the house, and the knee scooter Kathy loaned me, thank you. And of course delicious cookies, thank you Donna! Jack and I were in adjacent rooms in the ER and greatly appreciate all those who came to check on us. I broke rib 7 and my left ankle plus lots of road rash. Helmet saved me twice, head bouncing off the concrete barrier and then the other side of the helmet dragging along the road.
Two screws were put in my ankle and now I can stand on my feet with very limited walking. The surgery staff thought I was on a motorcycle judging by the amount of road rash I have. It turns out the surgeon has a non-profit bicycle place on 8th Street that he just opened (photo attached of flyer with link). It is a community meeting place where you can work on your bike, learn from others, and make tax deductible donations of bikes, parts, and anything bike related. It is going to be quite awhile before I am back on a bike again. I haven’t looked at mine yet but George suspects the frame could be cracked. … Rich

[Peter Petroni]

Hi Rich,

I wanted to send you my best wishes for a speedy recovery.

I’m shocked that just as we opened a new cycling trail on the island, we’ve had so many severe accidents among our club members. I don't believe this reflects on us as cyclists, but rather highlights the dangerous road environment we face here on Amelia Island.

Wishing you a quick and full recovery.

Best,
Peter

On Sat, Sep 5, 2026 at 1:03 PM 'Rich Wilcox' via Amelia Island Cycling <ameliaisl...@googlegroups.com> wrote:

More crashes, I hope you are ok Gary! I was just going to send a status and I saw Tom’s email. Thanks so much to George for picking up and bringing my bike to the house, and the knee scooter Kathy loaned me, thank you. And of course delicious cookies, thank you Donna! Jack and I were in adjacent rooms in the ER and greatly appreciate all those who came to check on us. I broke rib 7 and my left ankle plus lots of road rash. Helmet saved me twice, head bouncing off the concrete barrier and then the other side of the helmet dragging along the road.
Two screws were put in my ankle and now I can stand on my feet with very limited walking. The surgery staff thought I was on a motorcycle judging by the amount of road rash I have. It turns out the surgeon has a non-profit bicycle place on 8th Street that he just opened (photo attached of flyer with link). It is a community meeting place where you can work on your bike, learn from others, and make tax deductible donations of bikes, parts, and anything bike related. It is going to be quite awhile before I am back on a bike again. I haven’t looked at mine yet but George suspects the frame could be cracked. … Rich

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[Susan Taylor]

And thanks go out to you, Rich, for the detailed report! 

Another reminder:  This is a dangerous sport/activity we love.

Susan T

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[Graham Courtney]

Heal well Rich and Jack…and Gary

Jeez guys, I go for a few days and this?

Sent from my iPhone

On Sep 5, 2026, at 1:10 PM, Peter Petroni <petroni...@gmail.com> wrote:



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[Tom Hawkes]

Update on Gary. 

He has a broken sternum and multiple broken ribs and internal bleeding and bruising. They are transporting him to a trauma hospital. He will update us when he knows more. 

All the best,

Tom

Dr. Tom Hawkes
Director of Church Planting, Florida Presbytery ARPC 

Pastor, Christ Presbyterian Church 

"We are not our own, but the Lord's." John Calvin

Cell - 904-852-3976 
Email - t...@christpresfb.com
Website - https://christpresfb.com/
Address - 2887 Tidewater St., Fernandina Beach, FL 32034

   

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[Carol McDonald]

What the heck happened to Gary...I saw Tom's update but what happened?

Yahoo Mail: Search, Organize, Conquer

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[Susan Taylor]

Thank you, Tom.

Prayers, please.

Susan T

❤️

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[Tom Hawkes]

Hey Carol. Details in a earlier email. In brief a fork lift pulled out from behind a truck as Gary was riding by, and ran into Gary. Fork at 90 degrees to Gary hit him in arm and chest.

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[Peter Petroni]

Please give us visit info, if possible.

Thanks 

On Sat, Sep 5, 2026 at 2:00 PM Tom Hawkes <tomhaw...@gmail.com> wrote:

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[Tom Hawkes]

Hey Peter

Gary is at Baptist on Island. He did not know yet where they were taking him but he will update us when he knows.

He was walking around and coherent when Jim and I rolled up. He is tough but we could tell he was damaged pretty badly. He quickly agreed to the ambulance transport. 

Tom

Dr. Tom Hawkes

Director of Church Planting, Florida Presbytery ARPC 

Pastor, Christ Presbyterian Church 

"We are not our own, but the Lord's." John Calvin

Cell - 904-852-3976 

Email - t...@christpresfb.com

Website - https://christpresfb.com/

Address - 2887 Tidewater St., Fernandina Beach, FL 32034

---

From: ameliaisl...@googlegroups.com <ameliaisl...@googlegroups.com> on behalf of Peter Petroni <petroni...@gmail.com>
Sent: Saturday, 05 September 2026 14:21:15
To: ameliaisl...@googlegroups.com <ameliaisl...@googlegroups.com>
Subject: Re: [ameliaislandcycling.com] More Crashes Yikes!

 

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[Tom Hawkes]

Jim, Gary is asking for the accident scene photos. Can you please text him those?

[Peter Petroni]

Hi Tom,

Thanks for the update. Could you please share Gary’s last name so I can ask for him at the front desk? I am planning to try to visit him this afternoon.

Best,
Peter

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[Tom Hawkes]

Sorry Peter i do not know Gary's last name.

Anyone?

[Susan Taylor]

Gary Klopp <gkl...@gmail.com>

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[Peter Petroni]

Thank you 

I’m on my way

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[Tom Hawkes]

I'm at the ER. Gary has been transported. Desk did not know where. 

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[Peter Petroni]

I’m here also, they took him to UF 8th Street trauma Jax 

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[Tom Hawkes]

https://share.google/CaI8rSMJdus4ZDXb7

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[Virginia Deroy]

OMG. All of this is just HORRIFYING. I am so, so, SO sorry to read about these crashes. And am sending healing thoughts/prayers/positive vibes out to Gary and Rich: May you both recover swiftly and completely.

How in the WORLD does this keep happening? Such a bummer. (Euphemism of the year...)

Be well, everybody. Hugs and good wishes to all of you.

On Sat, Sep 5, 2026 at 1:03 PM 'Rich Wilcox' via Amelia Island Cycling <ameliaisl...@googlegroups.com> wrote:

More crashes, I hope you are ok Gary! I was just going to send a status and I saw Tom’s email. Thanks so much to George for picking up and bringing my bike to the house, and the knee scooter Kathy loaned me, thank you. And of course delicious cookies, thank you Donna! Jack and I were in adjacent rooms in the ER and greatly appreciate all those who came to check on us. I broke rib 7 and my left ankle plus lots of road rash. Helmet saved me twice, head bouncing off the concrete barrier and then the other side of the helmet dragging along the road.
Two screws were put in my ankle and now I can stand on my feet with very limited walking. The surgery staff thought I was on a motorcycle judging by the amount of road rash I have. It turns out the surgeon has a non-profit bicycle place on 8th Street that he just opened (photo attached of flyer with link). It is a community meeting place where you can work on your bike, learn from others, and make tax deductible donations of bikes, parts, and anything bike related. It is going to be quite awhile before I am back on a bike again. I haven’t looked at mine yet but George suspects the frame could be cracked. … Rich

[Jim Collett]

This is not the way to start a holiday weekend. Stay safe my friends. Best wishes for a speedy recovery to Gary, Rich, and Jack. Looking to see you all back in the saddle again. Peter I am still wishing you the best. 

Jim Collett

Sent from my iPhone

On Sep 5, 2026, at 3:24 PM, Virginia Deroy <virgin...@gmail.com> wrote:



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[Peter Petroni]

Thanks J

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