WHILE dodging potholes has become the norm for drivers, it recently left a local cyclist with two cracked ribs, a fractured collarbone and numerous abrasions to his body.
Doctor Andy Grant was badly injured after hitting a pothole in President Swart Street, Empangeni at approximately 5.20am on Saturday morning.
The incident took place just after the President Swart and Durnford Road intersection.
‘I was cycling along President Swart, heading up towards the main road.
‘Just after the traffic lights on President Swart Street I saw a hole in the road that I tried to avoid,’ he said.
In the process of trying to miss the dreaded pothole, Dr Grant subsequently had both his tyres punctured by a smaller pothole.
‘The last thing I remember was trying to swerve.’
‘I fell and must have slid for about 20-30 metres,’ he told the ZO.
Charmaine Strydom of uMhlathuze Fire and Rescue Services, on her way to work, found Dr Grant lying on the side of the road.
‘He was unconscious and I quickly went to the home of a Mounties paramedic who lives close by.
‘It wasn’t long before he regained consciousness, but was extremely confused,’ she said.
Dr Grant was rushed to the Life Empangeni Private Hospital where he was immediately attended to.
The ZO recently brought the issue of potholes to the fore, highlighting the concerns of road users in the city – a concern that Dr Grant feels needs to be addressed.
‘An accident like mine could happen in the best city in the world, however, I still feel the municipality needs to put a time limit on fixing potholes.
‘Perhaps there should be a phone-in line where residents can report potholes,’ he said.
Meanwhile city officials could not be reached for comment at the time of going to print.
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