A FATAL motorcycle accident in the Deep Well Enduro Race in Alice Springs on Saturday has left the broader South East community mourning the death of former Naracoorte resident Daymon Stokie.
Winner of last year’s Finke Desert Race and former Naracoorte High School student, Daymon, 28, was competing in the Deep Well Enduro Race early in the afternoon on Saturday when the tragic accident occurred.
As a result of critical injuries sustained in the crash, Daymon went into cardiac arrest and was unable to be saved, despite the efforts of St John’s Ambulance volunteers on the scene.
“The man sustained traumatic injuries and our volunteer crews were swiftly on the scene to provide medical assistance,” St John’s Ambulance regional manager Andrew Everingham said.
“They called for a critical response team and when they arrived, the man was experiencing a cardiac arrest.
“Despite our crews working on him for a significant amount of time, he succumbed to his injuries and was pronounced dead on the scene.”
In the hours and days following, tributes flowed for Daymon online, as friends, family and the wider motorcycle community tried to come to terms with the tragic loss.
“It’s fair to say the tragic news of yesterday is still nowhere near sinking in for everyone,” Garth Thompson posted on social media.
“Ride In Peace Stokie #1, forever a champion.”
Many of the tributes online stated Daymon was at the top of his game when the tragic event occurred on Saturday.
Just seven months prior, he competed in the Finke Desert Race for the seventh time and won the event, despite breaking his hand just two months prior.
Finke Desert Race president Antony Yoffa said he was one of just 20 other riders to be crowned “King of the Desert”.
“He had joined an elite group and I was lucky enough to stand on a stage with him last year to discuss his Finke win,” Mr Yoffa posted on social media.
“I was mighty proud of him – as was all of Alice Springs.”
Mr Yoffa expressed his condolences to the family and friends of the current champion of their race.
“On behalf of the Finke Desert Race committee, I extend our deepest sympathies to Daymon’s partner, his parents, brothers and sisters and extended family,” Mr Yoffa said.
“Some will say that Deep Well will be remembered as the scene of tragedy.
“Others will make the trek to Deep Well in the future to visit this harsh yet beautiful site to remember this young man and celebrate his achievements in a sport he loved.”
Mr Everingham said the tragic outcome was devastating for the whole community, including the volunteer paramedics.
“It is a huge blow for the motorcycle community as Daymon was an unbelievable talent and person,” he said.
“Our volunteers are a part of that community, this is not just another job for them, they form close relationships with the riders, so it is pretty tough.”
It is not the first time a former South East motorcycle rider has lost their life doing what they love a long way from the region.
Keith man Andy Caldecott died from injuries sustained in a crash in the Dakar Rally on the African continent 12 years ago on January 9, 2006.
