An Australian woman was killed Friday near the Archuleta-La Plata county line in a motorcycle accident while participating in a cross country ride to raise awareness about depression and suicide.
Barbara Thomas, 56, of Australind, Australia, was riding pillion on a motorcycle on Friday while participating in the Black Dog Ride. A Colorado State Patrol spokesperson said Thomas and her husband, Steve Thomas, were headed west on U.S. Highway 160 when a turkey may have flown up and struck the 2016 Harley-Davidson Glide.
Steve Thomas, the driver, lost control and went off the left side of the road, down the embankment and collided into a small grove of trees. It was at that point the Thomases were ejected from the motorcycle.
Barbara Thomas died at the scene, and Steve Thomas, 58, was taken to a Denver hospital where he was listed in critical condition. Both riders were wearing helmets at the time of the accident, and there is no suspicion of alcohol.
The Thomases were among 65 Australian motorcyclists who flew to the United States for the event.
“Barbara and Steve exemplify selflessness in going so far from home to help total strangers in a foreign country,” National Council for Behavioral Health CEO and President Linda Rosenberg said in a prepared statement. “We are grateful to both of them for their commitment to raising awareness of these issues and are heartbroken about this tragedy. Our thoughts go out to the Thomas family, as well as their friends back in Australia and their fellow Black Dog Riders. We hope and pray for Steve Thomas’ recovery.”
The Black Dog Ride began in 2009 as one Australian man decided to ride for depression and suicide awareness and raise money for the organization Suicide Call Back Services. Today, the ride remains a huge suicide charity for Australians, lasting 21 days and 4,000 miles from New York to Los Angeles.
jpace@durangoherald.com. Herald Staff Writer Jonathan Romero contributed to this report.
