15 Strangers Lift Car to Save Trapped Motorcyclist

Tyler Weibe thought he was dying. Trapped under a car with his chest crushed and lungs failing, the motorcyclist had seconds left to live.

Then a group of strangers did something extraordinary.

About 15 bystanders rushed to the scene of Wednesday morning's collision in Kedron, Brisbane, and lifted the car off Weibe's body. Their quick action saved his life.

"I think there was probably five seconds left before I was dead," Weibe said from his hospital bed. "I was thinking about my wife and two kids, and that this was it."

The crash happened around 8:30am on Gympie Road when a vehicle veered into the wrong lane and struck another car. That second vehicle hit Weibe's motorcycle and pinned him underneath.

Weibe was trapped for about two minutes before help arrived. The first attempt to lift the car didn't work, and when it came back down, he heard his ribs cracking again.

"I didn't have that extra breath anymore," he said. "Luckily a split second later, the car lifts up and I'm pulled out."

Witness Cameron Vellacott watched the rescue unfold. He said the immediate response from passersby was remarkable.

"It was heartwarming to see so many people just jump to the aid of someone so quickly," Vellacott said. "They clearly didn't know him and had no context for the situation."

Sunny's Take

Weibe suffered broken ribs, a broken collarbone, and a collapsed lung. He was rushed to hospital in life-threatening condition but has since stabilized.

For Weibe, a Canadian who became an Australian citizen just five months ago, the experience deepened his love for his adopted home. "It really showed Australia and Queenslanders stepping up," he said.

The father of two is now focused on recovery and gratitude. He knows those strangers gave him something priceless.

"I get more time with my daughters, I get more time with my family and a second lease on life," Weibe said. Sometimes the best of humanity shows up in the worst moments.