Posted | Article, Road Safety
Road crashes are sudden and can have lifelong impacts. Road Trauma Support Tasmania provides a free confidential, caring and supportive counselling service, specialising in trauma and grief counselling. The service support for those who have been involved in a road crash or affected by a road crash is funded by the Motor Accidents Insurance Board.
When Patricia Koskovic lost her only daughter, Emma, in a single-vehicle crash on Tasmania’s West Coast in 2023, her world collapsed.
As a 35-year-old university graduate with a bright personality, Emma seemed to have everything together, but she was hiding a dependence on alcohol that even her closest friends and family never suspected.
“She was beautiful, intelligent and always so composed,” Patricia said.
“She texted me almost every day, but only about the good things, I had no idea she was drinking like that.”
On the day of the crash, Emma was stopped by police for driving more than 40kmh over the limit.
They issued a speeding ticket and allowed her to continue her trip.
Less than an hour later, her car left the road near Rosebery and the coroner’s report later revealed her blood-alcohol level was four times the legal limit.
“It’s soul-destroying,” Patricia said.
In the months that followed, Patricia’s grief turned to determination. She would like to have breath-testing mandatory for all motorists stopped by police.
The Coroner’s Report determined that the police had performed their duties correctly and the crash was a result of consumption of alcohol and excessive speed.
Patricia has also reached out for professional help and on the advice of a social worker, she contacted Road Trauma Support Tasmania, a free counselling and peer-support service for anyone affected by road crashes.
“At first I didn’t think I needed it,” Patricia said.
“But they understand in a way that others can’t, we talk every few weeks and sometimes we even have a laugh, it’s been a real lifeline.”
Patricia said she kept a small wooden bird that Emma held during their final interaction as a reminder of their connection.
“I touch it and talk to it as a way of keeping her close,” she said.
“You never think it’ll happen to you, so if you even suspect someone you love is struggling, talk to them and if you’re ever stopped by police, just take the breath test.
“It could save your life, or someone else’s.”
The long road back for Rick
For lifelong motorbike rider Rick Rushton, a short trip through Deloraine two days before Christmas turned into two years of pain, surgeries and uncertainty.
“I’ve been riding since I was about eight,” Rick said.
“Dirt bikes, road bikes, trail bikes — it’s always been part of my life and I used to go out every weekend with my mates and my son.”
On 22 December 2023, Rick was riding at about 25kmh when a car pulled out in front of him.
The driver, later found to have drugs in his system, hit Rick side-on and ran over his bike before stopping.
“I remember hitting the road and thinking, right, this is a three and a half week injury at most,” Rick said.
“Turns out, it’s been nearly two years.”
Rick suffered a broken wrist and multiple fractures to his leg, including compound breaks to his tibia and fibula.
He’s since endured a string of surgeries, bone grafts and infections, and still faces the possibility of a partial leg amputation.
Through it all, one thing that’s helped him cope is Road Trauma Support Tasmania, a free counselling and peer support service for people affected by road crashes.
“I reached out after a few weeks because I just couldn’t handle it,” Rick said.
“I was having bad dreams, flashbacks and some very negative thoughts and I just needed someone to talk to.”
Rick said his counsellor, Kim, had been a lifeline.
“She’s easy to talk to, not judgmental at all,” he said.
“We talk every few weeks and she just listens.
“I’d recommend the service to anyone, it’s been really good for me.”
Despite the pain, frustration and ongoing uncertainty, Rick said he refused to give in to bitterness.
“I don’t hold a grudge against the driver, that’s just wasted emotion,” he said.
Rick is now focused recovery, daily exercise and his support network of doctors, physiotherapists, prosthetic specialists and friends who have also survived serious crashes.
“I’ve got a few blokes nearby who’ve been through it too so we catch up for coffee and swap stories, which helps,” Rick said.
Rick also credits the Motor Accident Insurance Board for its support throughout his recovery.
“I know people complain about paying MAIB on their rego, but I’ll never complain again,” Rick said.
“When you need it, you’re grateful it’s there and I can’t imagine where I’d be without it.”
Support when it’s needed most
Road Trauma Support Tasmania’s counsellors will listen, support and assist Tasmanians in their time of need and can assist with information about community services, or any other appropriate services which will be of help to you.
They can also help with filling in Motor Accidents Insurance Board forms, have a support person accompany you to interviews or court, and with your consent, make enquiries on your behalf.
