12 Nov: As reported on Wednesday GYTR Rockstar Yamaha’s Harley Quinlan suffered serious spinal injuries after a training accident on Tuesday afternoon. The news wasn’t good for the 19 year old, as Doctors confirmed he had severely damaged his spinal cord and had lost all feeling and movement from his chest down.
Edited copy and photo courtesy of Scott Bishop, Yamaha Junior Development Team.
Having been airlifted to the Princess Alexandra Hospital in Brisbane Quinlan underwent a series of tests and scans to determine the extent of his injuries. Surgery then followed on Wednesday morning to stabilize his condition and his spine was fused and pinned.
Doctors have confirmed it is extremely unlikely that Harley will 
regain any movement or feeling below his chest, although suggest his shoulders and arms should regain movement. Last evening Quinlan was only now starting to regain consciousness while family and friends have rallied around the downed rider.
The Quinlan family would like to thank everyone one who has contacted them and sent their best wishes for Harley and his recovery.
It was a tragic turn of events for the Yamaha star as he was in fine form and beginning to show the form that would establish him one of Australia’s top racers.
Quinlan will be remembered as a big hearted racer who gave his all every time on the track. In his short career he racked up an impressive list of results but more importantly, was extremely popular with his fellow riders and within the motorcycle Industry. His riding talents will be missed.
"On behalf of Yamaha, we are shocked and saddened by the news of Harley’s injuries. He has become one of the Yamaha Family since being drafted onto the first Yamaha Junior Development Team in Queensland in 2005 as a 13 year old.”
"In that time he has grown into a consummate professional both on and off the track and his injuries have affected everyone at Yamaha.”
"We send our thoughts, prayers and best wishes to Harley and the Quinlan family in this difficult time,” says Motorsport Manager, Ray Howard.
The battle now begins for a long rehabilitation process for Quinlan that will require extensive stays in Hospital and long periods of physiotherapy. The cost of that process along with facilities for quality of life will mount quickly and a trust fund has been set up in Harley’s name.
Any donations can be made to:
The Harley Quinlan Trust Fund
Bank of Queensland
BSB: 124041
Account Number: 21527566
New Zealand donations can be on the following account: QBANAU4B
Any donations would be greatly appreciated by the Quinlan Family and go directly to assisting his long road to recovery.
The qualities that made him a successful racer will be the same qualities that will drive his recovery. Passion, dedication, commitment and a driving will to succeed will see Quinlan overcome this set back.
