Another accident

[slowpoke]

ewep, if EMS is already there it's ok, but the impression was given that ppl rode past before other help was at hand

[mallo]

Correct Slowpoke that is what is upsetting not all the others who past after Al Michael Gary and EMS arrived at the scene

[ewep]

Auk, ok, another story.  Sorry, reading but not understanding!

 

 

[slowpoke]

i just hope that their consciences bug them for the rest of their lives. i find that kind of behaviour just as disgusting as drivers who won't get out of the way of EMS vehicles (and there are lot's of those around, especially here in gauteng). while it's not the cause of the accidents etc, it's utterly uncalled for and begs the question "what if it were you or your friends lying there needing help?"

[shaunh]

This is really sad news. I would like to wish Neville, Fred & Kruger a speedy recovery. 

 

I have run out of ideas of how to keep the cyclists safe especially on the Lido route. Does anyone have any suggestions? 

[Mervin]

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