Friends are raising money for a Jacobstown man who they say survived a motorcycle accident in October because he was riding with a nurse.
BORDENTOWN TOWNSHIP -- Friends have banded together to raise money for their friend Anthony "Tony" Coyle, who they say narrowly escaped death in an October motorcycle crash and is now struggling with medical bills.
Coyle, of Jacobstown in North Hanover, was riding with friends in the Chatsworth area of Burlington County Oct. 25 when his bike crashed moments after he got ahead of the group.
Kellie Goldman, Coyle's long-time friend, said he would have died if riding friend Sharon Neary hadn't jumped into action.
Neary used Coyle's belt as a tourniquet around his leg, stopping him from bleeding to death, and stabilized his neck. Coyle's leg was nearly torn off at the knee.
"I am a nurse by profession so I initially thought what can I do?" Neary said. She didn't witness the crash, but she and her fiance - also Coyle's friend - Craig "Wheels" Wheelocks were riding a few seconds behind.
When they caught up to him, Coyle was on the ground bleeding and his bike was near a tree.
"The first responders arrived within minutes," Neary said. "They did all the work."
Coyle does not remember much about the day, or why he crashed, but Goldman said their friend is alive because of Neary, no matter how humble she is about the incident.
"She literally saved his life," Goldman said. "All the doctors who worked on him said there was no way he would have been able to make it if it weren't for her."
Coyle's memories of the crash begin much later.
He was treated at Cooper University Hospital in Camden after originally being airlifted to AtlantiCare Regional Medical Center in Atlantic City.
Coyle was put in a medically-induced coma to allow him to heal from multiple injuries such as broken ribs and facial and lower body fractures, he said.
Now Coyle - who arrived back home in Jacobstown in late December - is temporarily unable to walk, and is thousands of dollars of debt in medical expenses he says his insurance will not cover.
"I don't know what happened or how it happened," Coyle said. "It's not like we were out bar hopping. It wasn't like that at all. I don't even do that."
Coyle - on leave from his job as an electrician in Allentown - said his financial woes, more than his injuries, are what's killing him now. As his physical therapist arrives at his home regularly to help rehabilitate him, so do the medical bills.
"I'm being bombarded with bills," he said. "It builds up. I really don't even know how many expenses I have. I have the helicopter bill I still have to pay which alone is $5,000 - $5,500."
Goldman - along with about seven other friends of Coyle's - is hosting a Feb. 6 fundraiser at The Merion in Cinnaminson to help with medical expenses.
"There will be lots of food, activities, crafts for kids," Goldman said "It's a family affair."
She said local businesses can still donate gift baskets for a planned auction that night, and they plan a cash bar, live music, t-shirt sales and face painting.
Tickets for the event held from 1 to 5 p.m. will be sold online for $25 or $30 at the door.
Coyle - who said he has never undergone an accident like this in all 20 years of motorcycling - is grateful for the support from his friends and family. His sister Theresa Coyle has been living in his home with him helping out as well.
"I rode every weekend I could in the summer," he said. "It's just a weird feeling. I've never been through something like this."
"I'm doing my best," Coyle said. "I really appreciate everything people are doing for me."
Lindsay Rittenhouse may be reached at lrittenhouse@njadvancemedia.com. Find NJ.com on Facebook.