Woman Loses Leg After Motorcycle Collision With Bear

A peaceful summer motorcycle ride in Northern Ontario turned into a life-altering ordeal for Nicki Galley and her husband, Matt Duke. What began as a beautiful sunny day would ultimately test their strength, resilience, and the importance of first aid knowledge.

An Unforeseen Ordeal on the Road

In June 2014, the New Liskeard couple set out on their motorcycle, enjoying the open road. As they rode along, both noticed movement in the ditch ahead.

“I had a nanosecond to react,” Matt later recalled. “I knew we weren’t going to miss it.”

The motorcycle struck a bear head-on. While both Matt and Nicki survived the collision, the impact caused devastating injuries.

Matt immediately shut off the bike and then heard what he described as a blood-curdling scream from his wife. As he gathered himself, the reality of the situation became painfully clear. The bear lay motionless on the road, Nicki’s helmet was nearby, and a severed leg was visible on the pavement.

Nicki had been thrown from the motorcycle and struck a guardrail. The impact resulted in the loss of her leg, multiple broken bones, severe bleeding, and catastrophic internal injuries. Some of her internal organs were exposed due to the force of the crash.

The Critical Role of First Aid

Although injured himself, Matt knew he had to act quickly.

Thanks to his previous first aid training, he remained focused under pressure. He called emergency services and immediately began helping his wife while waiting for professional responders to arrive.

A passing driver stopped to assist but became overwhelmed by the severity of Nicki’s injuries. Matt stepped in, relying on his training to stay calm and provide lifesaving care until help arrived.

Immediate and appropriate first aid can dramatically improve survival outcomes during traumatic emergencies, particularly when severe bleeding and shock are involved. Situations like this highlight why basic emergency response skills are so critical. Those interested in learning how to respond effectively in similar emergencies can explore certified Emergency First Aid training through Winnipeg First Aid, which focuses on life-saving skills for sudden, high-stress situations.

Emergency Response and Recovery

An Ornge air ambulance eventually arrived and transported Nicki to Sudbury. From there, she was flown to Toronto for advanced trauma care.

Nicki later said she remembers the entire helicopter ride.

“I just kept asking how long it would take,” she said. “I wanted to get there. I wanted to get fixed.”

She woke up nine days later in the trauma centre at a Toronto hospital. The first person she saw was her son, holding her hand.

At that point, Nicki still didn’t know she had lost her leg. When her mother gently explained what had happened, Nicki’s response reflected remarkable strength.

“I thought, ‘I’m alive, and I’ve lost a leg. That’s no big deal,’” she said. “I’d rather be here without a leg than not be here at all.”

Coming Full Circle

Returning to daily life wasn’t easy, but Nicki refused to let the accident define her future. She eventually returned to work and continues to stay active in her own way.

Today, she and Matt still snowshoe in the winter. Nicki swims regularly and even completed a five-kilometre race—an achievement that once seemed impossible.

“I feel like I’ve come full circle now,” she said.

This story, originally reported by CBC News, highlights not only a tragic and rare roadway incident but also the life-saving importance of quick thinking and first aid preparedness. You can read the full original report here:
👉 Woman Loses Leg After Motorcycle Collision With Bear

About The Author

Mark Kascha

Certified First Aid Instructor Trainer with 30+ years of real-world experience, including lifeguarding, workplace emergency response, and first aid program development across Canada. Has worked with WorkSafeBC, WSIB, and Manitoba Health.

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Last reviewed: March 2026

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