Casualty
I suppose it had to happen sooner or later. No sooner had I been musing about the possibility of ending up in Casualty as a result of my prospective Lomo project, than I did actually end up in Casualtyâwithout the involvement of my camera.
I was cycling in to work as usual, and coming around a slightly tricky roundabout, when I saw a car in the road to the left pause on the stop line. I’m very cautious on this roundabout, and don’t go if I think someone might not have seen me (it’s amazing how many drivers look without seeing), but I assumed that as she’d stopped, she’d seen me. So, I carried on and sawâwith a certain amount of horrorâthat she was driving on to the roundabout, straight at me. Naturally, I slammed the brakes on, butâas the car’s bumper loomed on my port sideâI realized that this was only going to end one way. I remember thinking “Bugger.”, swiftly followed by “Ow”.
I ended up lying on the tarmac on my back, with my bike on top of me, having hit the back of my head on the ground rather hard. Thankfully, I was wearing my helmet, so it took most of the force of the impact. I swore at the driver once, and that seemed to take the anger out of me. From then on, I was just a bit dazed and shocked. She was really upset by the whole thing, and to be honest, her mistake was one of those little lapses of attention which we all make every now and again, but can come frighteningly close to resulting in someone’s death. Two very kind and extremely efficient women stopped, picked me and my bike up, and organised the exchanging of details. The driver took me to Causualty. I didn’t think I was badly hurt, but you can’t be too careful with concussion. It seems that if you have to go to Accident & Emergency (I still think of it by the old term), first thing on Monday morning is a good time. It was lucky that I didn’t have to wait too long; making polite conversation in an empty waiting room with someone who has just knocked you off your bike isn’t easy.
The verdict was that I was more or less OK. I bruised my coccyx (which would have been worse, but for the fact that I have a reasonably well-upholstered rear), got a few minor grazes and bruises, and a bump on the head. The doctor sent me home with orders to rest for at least 24 hours, and a little card for Mr. Bsag listing all the dangerous complications of head injury that he should look out for. Luckily, it was his day off, so he spent the day checking that I was just napping and hadn’t lapsed into a coma or anything. I’ve just found a really odd, perfectly square bruise on my thighâhow the heck did I get that?
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i'm glad it wasn't more serious -- take it easy and get better soon.
and watch those prophetic posts! write about finding money or something instead.
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Glad to hear that you're okay, other than a bit of bruising and bewilderment. I'm also glad that it wasn't worse -- I'd hate to think about how bad it could've been when it's Car vs. Bike.
by Nathan Ladd @ 28/07/2003 8:07 pm • Permalink •
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Glad you're OK - I remember Oxford's drivers and roundabouts with something akin to fear - they're flaming lethal most of the time.
As for the rectangular bruise - would a pedal fit the bill?
by Lyle @ 29/07/2003 8:07 am • Permalink •
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I'm glad too that it wasn't more serious and I wish you a speedy recovery. As someone who's been in a rather serious car v. bicycle accident, you have my heartfelt sympathy. Scary stuff.
Oh, and hooray that you were wearing your helmet. I wear mine no matter what because you never know...
by brian @ 29/07/2003 8:08 am • Permalink •
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Glad you're okay!!! I was horrified by how many cars there are in Britain these days when I was back in the UK recently. It's over ten years since I cycled in the UK but just walking around some roads made me nervous.
by jb @ 29/07/2003 9:08 am • Permalink •
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Thanks for the sympathy, folks! I'm feeling a bit better today, but still a bit battered. Sitting is rather uncomfortable with a bruised coccyx...
dvd: Good advice, though I don't think prophetic posts work when they're about something good.
Lyle: Nope, the bruise can't have been caused by a pedal (remember that this is a recumbent, so the pedals are on the far side of the handlebars). It's still a puzzle, but the bruise has gone a really stunning shade of purple now: #760036 or thereabouts.
brian: Yep, I feel naked without my helmet when I'm cycling (even though it's hot and uncomfortable). It feels like riding in a car without a seatbelt on.
jb: I had more or less got used to the road conditions here. I ride defensively, working on the assumption that drivers will do something stupid or dangerous or both. In fact, this was the first time I'd been knocked off my bike (as opposed to falling off of my own accord) in 12 years of cycling in Oxford. Ho hum.
by bsag @ 29/07/2003 5:08 pm • Permalink •
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Wow, that's scary. Get better soon! Get some rest! Don't slip into a coma!
by bitweever @ 29/07/2003 7:07 pm • Permalink •
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Aye, I knew it was a recumbent, but you'd said about the handlebars ending up somewhere odd, so I wondered about pedals still. It's not going to be door mirror or anything - perhaps a cats'eye?
by Lyle @ 29/07/2003 8:07 pm • Permalink •
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is the bruise fading at all? maybe someone tattooed you when you weren't looking?
by dvd @ 29/07/2003 9:08 pm • Permalink •
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Ouch. Get well soon.
I once fell off my bike going downhill (my fault, I had just looked behind me, there were no cars involved) and fell onto my head. My helmet shattered; luckily I was wearing it. What I do remember is that a perfect, intact novel flashed through my head, and when I opened my eyes, it was gone. Nothing left, not even an image. It was really good, too... my literary aspirations will just have to wait, I'm not going to do that again on purpose!
by Pica @ 30/07/2003 4:07 am • Permalink •
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I've just the computer up after moving. Just you take care now. I'm sorry that your "wish" came true.
by JoRo @ 01/08/2003 10:08 am • Permalink •
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You write my favorite blog, so I am glad you survived. Get well soon.
by dave murphy @ 01/08/2003 11:09 am • Permalink •
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JoRo: It wasn't exactly a wish
dave: Aw. Thanks!
by bsag @ 01/08/2003 9:08 pm • Permalink •
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Just saw this. Ouchies! and damned scary. Glad you're okay.
by lisa @ 02/08/2003 3:08 pm • Permalink •
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I'm glad you're okay. I crashed myself and almost died recently October 23rd, 2004. I'm still recovering and afraid of riding out in the street. YET....I just bought a new bike named her Isabelle and I'm going back to France this July see the Bordeaux trip photos. I believe I will be okay. I can't live without riding my bicycle. I even bought a double ring this time. My triple ring is still in the Seattle Police evidence room and I'm trying to rescue him. Best wishes, Lowell
by lowell in seattle @ 20/01/2004 4:01 am • Permalink •
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I meant October 23rd 2003. Sorry.
by Lowell @ 20/01/2004 4:01 am • Permalink •
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I'm glad to hear you are feeling better. I did an internet search for "bruised coccyx" and found your thread. I just recently bruised my coccyx while falling in a sitting position on a rock. I was wondering if you could tell me how long it took for the pain to subside and what you did to alleviate the pain in the meantime. Any information would be greatly appreciated. Thanks! Marisa
by marisa @ 03/03/2004 5:03 am • Permalink •
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