22-year-old cyclist severely injured in collision

The year 2015 has treated Elaine van Jaarsveldt unkindly.

Amid a period of immense personal tragedy, including the demise of her cat, Mrs van Jaarsveldt is helping her son, Deon recover after a horrific collision on Hardwick Street on Monday.

Their ordeal is an indication of the danger facing road users today.

“My son was on his way for lunch when a bakkie hit him.”

Deon was on his bicycle at the time, the force of impact flinging him out of the saddle and resulting in a gruesome gash across his forehead.

Bleeding and unconscious, onlookers began to amass.

“One of the people found the phone in Deon’s pocket and managed to get hold of my younger son. He passed the message on to me that Deon was hurt.”

Nearly hysterical, Mrs van Jaarsveldt rushed to the collision scene, where she was informed Deon had been transported to Madadeni Hospital for urgent attention.

“I panicked because I saw blood and hair on the bakkie.”

Although his injuries were grave, Deon was discharged from hospital on Monday night after receiving numerous stitches to the head.

He complained the pain was near unbearable.

In the days following the terrifying collision, the van Jaarsveldt family have hired private medical experts to keep Deon’s condition under observation.

She vowed to take the matter further if need be.

“The accident was unnecessary – my son might be scarred for life at just 22.”

Following a Facebook post by Mrs van Jaarsveldt, including photographs of Deon’s injuries, residents have rallied to assist the family in whichever ways they can.

“I have some medical experience so I am trying to treat Deon from home.”

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