A cyclist has undergone his second intensive surgery after being knocked over in a hit-and-run while cycling on the Klipheuwel Road near Durbanville.
Kinetic Cycling Club member Alroy Davey was left with a broken pelvis and ribs, damage to both hips and spinal injuries after he was hit by what is believed to have been a white double-cab bakkie on Saturday August 6.
Mr Davey, 52, from Ravensmead, went on his usual training ride to Malmesbury on Saturday at around noon but instead of returning home, his wife received a phone call informing her of the incident.
Kinetic Cycling Club chairman O’Ryan Bruintjies said Mr Davey had been lying in a ditch for quite some time before someone saw him.
“A woman who was riding pass had pulled over and called the family. He must have been there for at least two hours.”
Mr Davey was taken to the Mediclinic Cape Gate where he underwent an eight hour operation on Sunday August 7 and a second operation on Thursday August 11.
From page 1
Cape Gate Mediclinic spokeswommn Madali Groenewald said Mr Davey had sustained multiple traumatic injuries and fractures.
“He cannot remember the details of the accident – the last thing he could remember was standing at the intersection to cross over,” said Ms Groenwald.
Mr Bruintjies said Mr Davey was doing okay after the operations but he still had a long way to go on the road to recovery.
“We are investigating a case of reckless and negligent driving,” said Durbanville police spokesman Captain Marchell Rhode.
The cycling community have made urgent appeals to help trace the driver.
A Facebook post reporting the incident and calling for help was shared more than 12 000 times.
The post was also shared by Durbanville Community page, Arrive Alive and the Public Servant WC Appreciation Squad.
Mr Davey’s daughter, Abigail, wrote: “Everyone, please keep my father in your prayers. We believe in a miracle working God, because God is our healer and our deliverer. Please do share this post as well.”
Colleen Carpenter said: “Catch the awful individual who left this scene a few days ago! Somebody must know him with that damage to his car.”
Jacqueline Platt wrote: “This is shocking and disgusting! People have to own up to their actions, this driver doesn’t even have the spine to stop and help a person he/she ran over.”
Mr Davey has been part of the Kinetic Cycling Club for seven years and has taken part in many cycling events.
“He is an experienced cyclist and an active person. He has taken part in half-marathons and Cape Argus cycle tours. If you look at the road he was cycling on, there is a big shoulder, there was more than enough space for Mr Davey,” said Mr Bruintjies.
He has called on motorists to be careful on the road and be more aware of cyclists as they too are road users.
“With summer approaching, more cyclists, including recreational cyclists, are coming out. There are also cyclists who are now training for upcoming events, so I urge motorists to be cautious.”
* Anyone with information about the incident can contact Mr Bruintjies at 083 532 3445 or the Durbanville police at 021 970 3800.