Article posted on the bicycling website CYCLISTS SERIOUSLY INJURED IN CAR ACCIDENTissued by Netcare 911 - Mon 23rd of April 2007 /images/press/press2173.jpg On Saturday 21 April at 09h10, Netcare 911 received a call reporting an incident where a car had crashed into a group of cyclists. The incident occurred on the Vereeniging road, near the Heidelberg road off ramp. Arriving paramedics found that three cyclists who had reportedly been riding one behind the other had been hit from behind by a car. The first cyclist to be hit was the most critically injured as would be expected. He was treated and stabilised on the scene by provincial paramedics. Treatment included sedation and intubation due to the severity of his injuries, which were primarily facial and head injuries.(Obvious damage can be seen on the front of his helmet). The Netcare 911 helicopter was already in the air with another patient, and this is the only reason the cyclist was not airlifted to hospital. The next cyclist was also classified as serious, but stable, and the one cycling in front was least serious but nevertheless he still required treatment and transportation to hospital. All three were taken by ambulance to Netcare Union Hospital. By Sunday morning the most critical of the three patient's condition was described as serious, and he was still being ventilated. Hospital staff were however confident that he was stable. It was also confirmed that the patient who came off with the' lightest' injuries sustained a fractured clavicle as well as facial injuries, which to most of us is not 'light' at all. While speaking to this cyclist (Neville) it was confirmed that they were cycling in single file within the yellow line with no cars approaching from the front, although the driver of the four door sedan (with eight occupants according to reports from the scene) said there had been a car approaching from the front. Neville said he heard what sounded like an explosion as they were hit, he does not remember much of what happened thereafter. (Traffic police would be able to elaborate.) Neville is a resident in, and rides regularly in the area, he has been cycling for forty years, and is also aware of the 'struggle' for road space between motorists and cyclists, obviously and unfortunately it is always the cyclist that comes off worst. He knows of a number of cyclists that have been killed over the last few months in this vicinity. One cyclist killed a few weeks ago was struck by a car allegedly travelling so fast, some light aircraft would struggle to reach such speeds. Neville is a Social Impact Assessor and is aware of future developments that will dramatically increase the volume of traffic in the area, including heavy duty trucks. Not good news for cyclists. Neville is available to speak to anybody wanting to know more. (Please contact Netcare911 on the numbers below for his details) Netcare 911 is very involved with cycling and cyclists, and would like to play a part in making things safer for those involved. Please feel free to contact us with any thoughts or ideas. We will try to keep those involved informed about incidents like this, for although they are 'bad news stories' they may help to create awareness. Emergency No. 082 911 Tel: +2711-777-2038 Cell 082 446 5640 email: mobilemedia@netcare.co.za Photo: The helmet belonging to the cyclist who was riding at the back and suffered the worst injuries
