Fatigue on four wheels
Visual
Text appears on screen: 'Warning: This video contains graphic images of injuries."
Next image shows an x-ray of a shattered ankle.
A still image of Chris Biddle in a wheelchair in a hospital hallway with a cast around his leg.
Transcript
Chris Biddle: "I knew I was going to have four months in a wheelchair but it could have been life!"
Visual
Chris is walking up a farm track in bare feet, supported by a crutch.
The scene cuts to Chris in a farm shed with a four wheeler behind him, talking directly to the camera.
Transcript
Chris: "I drove up the hill and this particular ridge there's one safe place to go down. But because the brain wasn't working, I turned back and poked my nose over and as soon as I drove over I knew there was no coming back from there."
Visual
Shot of quad bike inside barn with rain falling. Words onscreen: "In February 2019, exhausted farmer Chris Biddles was catapulted from his quad bike."
Shot changes to montage of images of Chris' injuries immediately after the accident.
Transcript
Chris: "Went end over end and luckily catapulted me off and then I was scrambling knowing there was a quad coming behind me and then smack! It came down on top of my ankle and locked it under."
Visual
Chris is overlooking the hill where he had his accident. Words appear on screen: 'Chris managed to free his crushed foot before crawling 35 metres uphill to radio for help.'
Shot changes to Chris looking into his shed
Transcript
Chris: "I was working extremely long hours, I was so buggered I didn't sit back and think 'what could happen with this tiredness?' I just kept pushing on. If I wasn't so fatigued, I wouldn't have gone down that hill.
Visual
Shot of a tractor wheel inside a barn. Words appear onscreen: 'Last year 20,000 injuries were reported on farms. Wellbeing is often a factor.'
Chris is talking to the camera from the hill he had the accident on.
Transcript
Chris: "I think that's the trouble we don't sit down and say look let's take 10 minutes to evaluate 'where am I?' - You know what's our situation you just keep bloody head down ass up.
Visual
Chris is with a handful of other farmers talking around a table
Transcript
Chris: "Sometimes half an hour over a beer or a coffee or something and saying is my mental state going to cause problems on the farm for me, or for someone else or for your animals."
Visual
Chris is overlooking a part of his farm. Text appears onscreen: 'Fatigue played a major role in Chris' accident. Today, he encourages other farmers to take more notice of their wellbeing."
Transcript
Chris: "Please, please recognise that fatigue but not only recognise when you're fatigued but do something about it."
Visual
Farmstrong, Live Well Farm Well logo appears. Supported by the Mental Health Foundation, FMG and ACC.
Learn More at acc.co.nz