Joined: May 02, 2008 Posts: 359 Location: On the western front
Posted: Tue 13th May 6:55pm Post subject: Helmet Saves Cyclist's Life
Quote:
By SUSANA TALAGI - Western Leader | Tuesday, 13 May 2008
HELMET'S GRACE: Firefighter Kathie Topping was on the receiving end after being knocked off her bike by a motorist.
Lucky to be alive firefighter Kathie Topping owes a debt of gratitude to her cycle helmet.
The Glen Eden resident was riding home after a night shift at the Avondale station when she was hit by a motorist in Blockhouse Bay at around 7.30am last Wednesday.
"I went down but my head took the brunt of it," Kathie says. "My helmet was my saving grace without a doubt."
Police are investigating the cause of the crash at the Wolverton and Tiverton roads roundabout.
But Kathie says there was little she could do to avoid being hit.
"There was just nowhere to go," she says.
"It’s like one of those incidents where you can see the milk spilling but can’t get to it in time."
The 36-year-old, who has been a firefighter for five years, urges other cyclists to make sure they wear their helmets.
"What I remember most is the sickly thud I felt as my head bounced on the ground," she says.
The crash left Kathie with whiplash, concussion and soft tissue bruising.
It has also impacted on her job.
"I was due to go back to work and complete a final section of a practical test to become qualified on a specialist truck," she says. "That exam will now be rescheduled to another time."
Kathie plans to compete in the full iron man race in Taupo next year and has been training hard for the event.
She’ll need to get her bike repaired – to the tune of around $3000, before she gets back into her routine.
But the mother of two is determined to start riding again as soon as she is able.
"I’ve got a lot of friends who have had accidents and simply won’t get back on the road any more because of it," she says.
"The accident hasn’t deterred me from going back out on the road but I’m certainly a lot more cautious, a little bit more nervous," she says.
"You can’t afford to let it put you off."
Kathie’s partner, firefighter Sean Poole, turned up at the scene and was relieved to find her up and walking.
He’s attended many similar jobs and says it’s not something he is used to.
"The victims usually get loaded into an ambulance and carted away," he says.
Ms Topping, who is used to giving crash victims comfort, thanks the members of the public who came to her aid.
"One lady who witnessed the whole thing stayed around to help police and others were giving me their jackets to keep me warm.
"It’s comforting to know that people are willing to help."
Another person hit in West Auckland. I dont ride that road anymore, or gt north. Had too many close calls - will always take the back roads even though they are longer.
Last edited by tyred on Tue 13th May 7:06pm; edited 1 time in total
Joined: Dec 25, 2001 Posts: 17,604 Location: Showing my tan lines
Posted: Tue 13th May 7:00pm Post subject:
I know someone who's been injured because of their helmet.
Branch got hooked in one of the vents in the top and ripped them off the bike. Dislocated their jaw
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