South Walton doctor sacrifices race to aid injured cyclist

Dr. Steven Donchey trained for a year to compete last weekend in what he said is the hardest bicycle race in the world.

He took time off from his practice at Bluewater Orthopedics to travel from his home in South Walton County to Colorado to compete Saturday in the Leadville 100 off-road race.

However, Donchey completed only 20 miles of the course after he stopped to help a fellow cyclist who was seriously injured in a spill.

“You have to sacrifice time, money and family for this,” said Amy Yanora of Santa Rosa Beach, who also competed in the race.

“He’d never tell you this, but by the time he got to where the wreck happened he was riding at his personal best, but he didn’t even think twice about helping.”

The injured cyclist had flipped going down a mountain trail. The man went over the handlebars, hit a rock with his face and was knocked unconscious.

Donchey, 46, stopped to help the victim.

“It was extremely serious,” he said. “I thought he was going to die.

“What was amazing, and what is the whole essence of the race, is that the whole time I was helping everyone passing would offer to help,” he added. “But we already had four doctors, including myself, helping.”

The doctors secured the man’s neck and did what they could without equipment. Donchey said he eventually got through to 911 to get a medical helicopter to pick up the man.

The victim had wrecked at the bottom of a mountain. The doctors were given a gurney and carried him to the top, where the helicopter waited.

“I know he doesn’t like to be labeled a hero, but when you’ve trained for a year that’s a sacrifice,” said Robin Wilkes, a third racer from Santa Rosa Beach. “He’s got a gift and he doesn’t mind using it and doing what he has to do to help.”

After Donchey left the man hours later, he and the other three doctors were told they could not finish the race because of safety reasons.

“There was no question of what to do,” Donchey said. “I just stopped. I only wish I could have finished the race. It wasn’t about time, I just wanted to finish.”

Overall, he said the experience taught him that it’s not about recognition for one’s acts; it’s about doing what’s right.

“This really isn’t a hero story,” he said. “If you look at the whole phenomenon, it’s about doing things for your fellow bikers, your fellow humans.

“That’s what it’s about — it’s about helping.”