Update: Motorcycle rider on the mend

The motorcyclist who was involved in an accident in Witpoortjie on 29 December is in a stable condition.

Read initial article here: Motorcyclist in critical condition after accident

Trudie Subke said her husband Rudolf (also known as Casper) has been in an induced coma since the accident. “He sustained a very serious brain injury and the coma is necessary to allow his brain to rest and heal,” she said. He also fractured both his shoulders, one of his lungs collapsed and he cannot use his right arm. According to her, he suffered a minor setback in the early hours of Thursday morning (5 January) when he pulled out the monitor wires connected to his arm. This resulted in the doctors having to place him back on life support.

She also said based on the progress he has already made, the doctors are very positive about his chances for recovery.

“Although he cannot answer me when I speak to him, he does respond to me. He opens his eyes when I speaks to him, and he squeezed my hand slightly when I asked him to do so yesterday afternoon,” she said.

The road to recovery is going to be a long and hard one. “Rudolf will need to undergo surgery, and then go to a rehabilitation centre where he will learn to use his arm again,” she said.

Trudie mainly experiences anger and frustration with the situation and said she is also very emotional and tired. “I spend the whole day with him in the ICU and then go home and tend to the children and household chores.”

Trudie said they were overwhelmed by the reaction from the community and concluded by saying, “We want to thank each and everyone for the prayers, support and messages we received – even from people we do not know. It is much appreciated.”

Also read

Motorcyclist critical after accident

Motorcyclist seriously injured on Ontdekkers

Motorcyclist dies on Voortrekker Road

Graphic images: Motorcycle dragged 60m after being hit by a truck