John (Doc John) Hinds. March 21st 1980 to July 4th 2015

To the racing community and to the Medical profession he was Doc John, to me he was Just John, the friend I eat great and some crap food with, had a beer or glass of wine with and was great craic to be around, I miss him.

When John passed away all too early, he left behind his beloved partner, his parents and brothers, his extended family and for some of us, a close circle of friends.

From an early age John had an interest motorcycles and while studying medicine he made up his mind he was going to be a traveling doctor. Little did the MCUI or anyone involved with the Medical Team know what was coming, but John did. Everything John did in life was done with 100% commitment. He had set his mind on being a “Flying Doctor” and he did everything asked of him to get there, from studying hard in college to learning great bike skills, both needed, to do such a demanding job. John got what he wanted and became a traveling Doctor, he soon became a constant at almost all racing in Ireland and proved it wasn’t just for the jollies of getting out on a bike but more for the riders safety as you would often see him at short circuit meetings and the Medical Team Car.

John never stopped working, I often wondered where he got time, to do half the things he did. After qualifying as a Doctor he didn’t slow down on his studying, he continued to learn and introduced lifesaving techniques in his professional life. He excelled as a consultant anaesthetist and worked tirelessly in both pre and post hospital care in trauma treatment. John also gave up his time as a volunteer in a Doctor on call system for Northern Ireland (call sign Delta 7). Talking to medics, they were always happy to see John’s car turn up when they had a difficult situation. In 2010 we lost another friend, Mylo. This was a tough time for us but I particularly felt for John and another friend and one of the founders of the MCI Medical Team, Richie Elliot. They were the first people to reach Mylo and we all know they gave everything to save his life but it wasn’t to be. It wasn’t much consolation but we knew he died doing what he loved. I can’t imagine how the lads felt but the following week John was back on the bike, saving lives.

John went on to become a fantastic teacher. I have had the pleasure of being able to attend many of his lectures as an attendee in basic care or as a photographer, where he was working with other Doctors. As a non-medical person not understanding what he was talking about most of the time, he always managed to hold my attention so you can only imagine what the doctors were learning, he had a skill that not many have. John gave up his own time not only at bike racing but teaching others (in his own words) “to be the best they could be”.

A year after Johns death, I was asked if I would like to attend the SMACC conference which was held in Dublin in 2016. John was a regular contributor to this event, having been to Australia and the USA in recent years and it was there, I really say how far John had gone in his career in such a short time. To see how highly thought of by his peers, brought it home to me.

John also worked tirelessly towards getting a Doctor lead Medical Helicopter for Northern Ireland. Through the hard work of family, friends and other likeminded people this will happen.

Here I am just touching on some of what John did in his life and even if I put 10 pages together it would be just the tip of the iceberg.

As a friend I was very lucky to have known him as a friend. He brought so much to my life including, new friends. We got to spend some great times together, had loads of fun and he enhanced my life to no end. He was one of the wittiest people I have ever met and enjoyed life to its fullest. I miss him so much.