State Police Team with Local Kids for Motorcycle Safety

State police joined Manchester students and a particularly skilled motorcyclist Wednesday to demonstrate the importance of preparation and protection before hitting the road on two wheels. 

The Derryfield School, an independent private school for grades 6 through 12, played host to the afternoon event. Decked in protective gear from head to toe, professional motorcyclist and Latin teacher Chris McNeil performed a "controlled crash" over gravel in front of dozens of students.

Later, McNeil nursed some soreness in his hip, but said the injuries would have been much worse without protection.

"(Without protective gear), I'm definitely going to the hospital, because I'm going to have road rash all over my body, and I'd potentially have a broken bone," said McNeil.

Watermelon also made an appearance during the beautiful afternoon event, but the kids spectating weren't snacking on it.

Brian Abie, a Londonderry resident and sixth grader at the school, demonstrated elevated drops of the fruit, with and without a helmet.

After the demonstration, a pile of smashed watermelon remains sat at the bottom of the aerial lift that Abie dropped them from. All of them made the plunge without protection.

Last year, 26 fatalities involving motorcycles took place on New Hampshire roads, according to State Police. Heading up the State Police Motorcycle Unit is Sgt. Joe. DiRusso, who said that the proper gear is paramount for minimizing the chance for injuries.

"If you weren't wearing any of that gear like you see the guy on the motorcycle out on the street wearing shorts and flip flops and no helmet, a fall like you witnessed here today could be a lot more severe and possibly resulting in a fatality," said DiRusso. "It doesn't take a lot of speed if somebody were to hit their head on the pavement in a fall like that."

Despite the warm weather, McNeil said that protective gear still trumps all.

"This suit's not the most comfortable thing in the world when it's 65, 70 degrees out, but you dress for the slide, not the ride."

Other state troopers joined DiRusso at the event to later demonstrate motorcycle safety drills.