Kirby 'Gets Frank' on road trauma

This initiative aims to elevate the conversation around youth road safety, sharing powerful narratives that underscore the importance of this critical issue.

Among those sharing their stories is Kirby Barker, a testament to resilience and advocacy. Just three weeks before she was due to graduate and start a teaching job in Japan, Kirby fell asleep at the wheel. “I was almost home,” remembers Kirby. “I felt tired but never thought I’d fall asleep. I went nose-first into a ditch, breaking both lower legs. My car then flipped, crashing into a concrete culvert.”

Kirby suffered multiple major traumas, including 13 shattered bones. “I screamed and screamed,” she recalls. “I thought no one would find me.” Fortunately, a nearby couple heard the crash and came to her aid, providing comfort until emergency services arrived.

Kirby endured numerous surgeries and a long rehabilitation, relearning how to breathe, swallow, talk, eat and walk. She completed her studies and is now a primary school teacher, an occasional actor and a passionate road safety advocate.

“I’m still impacted by my accident today,” she says. “I have regular medical appointments and procedures. This will be lifelong. But I try to make the most of all opportunities, practice gratitude and live life to the fullest.”

Through Kirby’s advocacy she has shared her story through public speaking, book talks and media interviews, emphasising the dangers of driver fatigue.

“Let’s work together to ensure zero accidents on Tasmanian roads,” she urges.