I am writing this post so that all cyclists become aware that the chain latch of a truck's tailgate may pose a hazard when it is left unlatched.
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| Photo courtesy of Gino Ng |
Gino managed to take the above photo after the accident on Saturday 20 April 2013. The truck driver would not have stopped if not for a motorcyclist who went after the truck to inform the driver that he had taken a cyclist down. Sadly the truck driver maintained that it was not his fault.
Gino had almost come to a stop waiting for this truck to turn. When it turned the chain latch swung and hooked onto Gino's bike's handlebars which sent Gino flying.
As a result, he has a depressed fracture in his left skull which is impacting his brain. Fortunately, despite this, there is no brain bleed or swelling. There is a mild chance of epilepsy (fits) but fixing the skull fracture does not reduce the chances of epilepsy. We decided with the neurosurgeon not to operate.
Gino also sustained a fracture of his lumbar spine from the fall as he landed on the road in a hyperflexed position. It fractured three quarters of the way through from the front not disturbing the spinal cord. No surgery for this fracture too. He has been fitted with a brace that does not allow bending forward at the level of fracture. He needs to wear the brace for 6 weeks.
He is currently recuperating at home, keeping walking, sitting and standing to a minimum for at least a couple of weeks.
It would be best in terms of healing if he returns to work only after 2 to 3 months due to the nature of a physiotherapist's job.
The photo below is how the chain latch should have been done up when a truck is moving. Cyclists please be vigilant.
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| Photo courtesy of Jason Kirshman.webs.com |