Clareville resident Sebastian Honorato has thanked supporters after a community fundraiser for his recovery surpassed $7,300, following a serious e-bike crash on Pittwater Road at North Narrabeen that left him with multiple fractures, seven broken ribs and a broken jaw.
The crash occurred around 3.45pm on Saturday, 28 March, when Mr Honorato, 57, was riding his e-bike north along Pittwater Road at around 40 km/h near the intersection with Gondola Road. The driver’s side door of a blue 2020 Subaru Impreza parked outside a row of shops opened into his path. Mr Honorato, who was wearing a helmet, had no time to react and struck the door, throwing him from the bike. He landed heavily and temporarily lost consciousness.
NSW Police are continuing to examine the circumstances of the crash.
A Major Emergency Response on Pittwater Road
Three NSW Ambulance crews responded to the scene, including Intensive Care Paramedics, an Extended Care Paramedic and an Ambulance Supervisor. When paramedics assessed Mr Honorato, he was conscious but confused and had sustained multiple facial injuries including a deep laceration to the chin, a badly broken right ankle, and abrasions across his body. Concerned about possible head and internal injuries, the ambulance team requested the CareFlight Rescue Helicopter, which had already departed Westmead, continue to the scene and land at nearby Lakeside Park.
Paramedics stabilised Mr Honorato and treated him for possible spinal and internal injuries before loading him into an ambulance and taking him to meet the CareFlight helicopter as it came in to land. Following an assessment at the scene, the CareFlight doctor and critical care paramedic decided to accompany Mr Honorato by road rather than air, travelling with him to Royal North Shore Hospital, where he arrived in a serious but stable condition. The crash closed two northbound lanes of Pittwater Road for around an hour and a half, causing significant delays along Wakehurst Parkway and via the Narrabeen Bridge.
The 75-year-old driver of the Subaru was not injured. He was taken by NSW Police for mandatory testing following the incident.
The Recovery Ahead, and Why the Community Rallied
Mr Honorato has since undergone assessments to determine the long-term impact of his injuries. Fractures across a leg, seven broken ribs and a broken jaw mean a prolonged recovery with no capacity to earn income. As he works under an ABN, he has no entitlement to sick leave or income support, leaving him facing mounting medical expenses and living costs without any financial buffer.
A GoFundMe campaign set up to assist him had raised $7,395 from 31 donors at the time of publication, closing in on its $9,000 target. For Mr Honorato, the response has meant as much emotionally as it has practically.
“Since the accident, it has been a challenging journey, but your messages, kindness and generosity have given me strength to keep going,” he said. “Every donation, every word, every gesture means more than I can express. I am still recovering, taking things one step at a time, with faith and hope.”
Part of a Broader Safety Picture on the Northern Beaches
The crash on Pittwater Road is one of a series of e-bike incidents that have occurred across the Northern Beaches over recent years. The stretch of Pittwater Road between Narrabeen and Mona Vale has been the scene of multiple e-bike crashes, and the Advocate has reported on numerous incidents involving riders of all ages since 2023. The phenomenon of “dooring,” where a cyclist collides with a vehicle door that opens suddenly into their path, is a recognised road safety hazard along busy roads with on-street parking, and its consequences can be severe even when a rider, as in Mr Honorato’s case, is wearing a helmet and travelling at a lawful speed.
Anyone who witnessed the crash or has information that may assist Northern Beaches Police is encouraged to contact Crime Stoppers on 1800 333 000 or report online at crimestoppers.com.au. Those wishing to support Mr Honorato’s recovery can find the GoFundMe campaign at gofundme.com/f/last-saturday-i-had-an-accident-and-need-help-please.
Published 20-April-2026
