Car sends cyclist 'flying like a bird'
2013-01-10 10:08
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Cyclists have gathered across South Africa (and parts of Namibia) to honour cycling champion Burry Stander, who was struck and killed by a taxi while training in KwaZulu-Natal.
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Durban - A KwaZulu-Natal man has recounted how his
girlfriend was seriously injured by a motorist as they were cycling with
relatives in Richards Bay.
“I saw something like a bird fly past me and when I looked
back I realised it was her,” Vakil Sobharam told the Daily News.
Travishka Reddy, 23, a schoolteacher, was knocked off her
bicycle by a car which mounted the grass verge and then hit a streetlight.
“She was unconscious and had one eye closed. I was panicking
and tried to get her to wake up, with no luck. I could actually see her skull.
Her one leg was suddenly very huge. It was a very scary thing to see,” said
Sobharam.
Reddy broke her femur in five places and had cuts on her
face and body. She has been moved from the Intensive Care Unit to a general
ward at Netcare's The Bay Hospital, and is recovering.
From her hospital bed, Reddy said she was in a lot of pain
but would be fine.
“She is doing okay for now and I know she will get through
this and we will continue to cycle once she is better. It is our hobby and
something that we enjoy doing together,” said Sobharam.
The driver of the car was arrested on charges of reckless
and/or negligent driving and driving a car without a licence.
The collision happened two days after off-road cycling star
Burry Stander was killed while on a training ride.