'Am I gonna lose my leg?': St. George motorcyclist recounts life-changing crash

Andrew Rathnow, who lost his lower leg in a motorcycle crash, is photographed during an interview at St. George Regional Hospital, Tuesday.

Andrew Rathnow, who lost his lower leg in a motorcycle crash, is photographed during an interview at St. George Regional Hospital, Tuesday. (Sheldon Demke, St. George News)


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ST. GEORGE — A motorcycle rider severely injured in a crash last week wanted to tell his story — one that involved bystanders who jumped in to help, a hero with a tourniquet, skilled physicians and a friend who never gave up.

That man was 24-year-old Andrew Rathnow, who was found lying near a bike path, more than 30 feet from where he had been struck by a sport utility vehicle making a U-turn on the morning of Aug. 22.

Rathnow was riding with a friend when the woman driving the SUV did not see the motorcycles coming behind her. Police said she pulled into oncoming traffic to turn around on East Riverside Drive, as previously reported by St. George News.

After being transported to the hospital by ambulance with his lower leg nearly severed, he was rushed into surgery and his right leg was amputated just below the knee.

Read the full story on St. George News.

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