Cyclist injured after fall

The incident happened on Saturday, February 22 during his normal morning training ride in Mandela Street.
Mr Stephan Kleinhans, who is the pharmacist at Mom’s Pharmacy, is currently recovering in hospital after breaking the fourth vertebrae in his neck.

“He was riding down the road and tried to manoeuvre over wooden planks in this way. His front wheel slipped on the wet grass and he went over his handle bars,” said Ms Judy Kleinhans his wife.

Kleinhans lay on the ground in extreme agony while two other cyclists with first aid background immobilized his neck as they saw how he fell on his chin. Emergency calls were made to various ambulance services around eMalahleni.
It took 40 to 45 minutes for an ambulance service to respond to the scene.

Kleinhans was treated on scene for his injuries and he was taken to Life Cosmos for treatment.
On Monday, February 24 the hospital confirmed that he had been admitted and was doing fine.

“We hope that he will come out of hospital by Friday. He managed to sit up on Tuesday for a while,” said Judy.
Phone calls, SMSs of support have been flowing in from as far as Australia and New Zealand.

“We would just like to thank everyone for the support and all their phone calls, message of support its really appreciated. And it’s all by the grace of God that my husband is recovering so well,” said Ms Kleinhans.

eMalahleni has a very strong cycling community and cyclists should remember the following tips to be safe on the roads in eMalahleni.

“With the roads getting busier as more and more cyclists increase their training please remember to: always wear your helmet it’s the law; have lights on your bike if you ride before dawn or after dusk; use hand signals to indicate that you are stopping or turning; ride in single file and obey all traffic laws, including stopping at red traffic lights and stop streets,” said Mr Steve Hayward, Pedal Power Association Chairman.