My son has had an 'off'.

[661-Pete]

Update. Has a nasty gash on the cheek, the staff nurse told me it was being stitched even as I talked to her, also xrays show fractured cheekbone, has anyone had that are there any long term probs? Neurologically seems to be ok he's been talking to the doctors and nurses, and they're not worried about his neck, will be taken to the ward and then get a full assessment on doctors ward round tomorrow am.

We're still counting on this being a lucky escape. Still have no idea what happened, he was found lying by roadside by other motorists who called ambulance, may have been unconscious, he doesn't seem to have general amnesia but can't remember the off. Just like my experience of five years ago. If his bike turns out to be damaged that'll give a clue.

We can do nothing more than sit tight. Will try to get some sleep but it's not going to be easy.

For those who've been quick to have a go at the hypothetical hit-and-run driver, yes I'll repeat we don't know yet and may never know. But if you're right, if it was hit and run, yes hope that driver doesn't sleep easy, neither now nor ever again!

 

[Crankarm]

Sympathies to you. If it's any consolation he is young, healthy and hopefully will make a full recovery.

Where are the Scottish possee? Perhaps one of them can drop in on him for you?

If he was offed by a vehicle, the fact that the driver did not stop means that he or she may well have been under the influence of drink or drugs (It is a Bank Holiday weekend after all).

 

[661-Pete]

He's certainly fit and healthy. He's a better cyclist than I have ever been, can do far greater distances and faster. And he's a second-Dan black belt in karate.

 

[slowmotion]

Best wishes to all. I just dread that kind of phone call.

 

[bauldbairn]

What kind of person just drives off after something like that!

+1, Sorry to hear about this! Glad you've spoken to your son - hope his injuries aren't too serious. I hope he recovers fully/quickly.

 

[BentMikey]

Shame Pete, sympathies! It sounds like things aren't too serious, luckily.

 

[guitarpete247]

And he's a second-Dan black belt in karate.

Hope he gets to meet the driver then and shake him gently by the throat.

 

[ufkacbln]

Sorry to hear of this news, but I hope I can answer at least part of the questions...

Note I am a radiographer not a eye specialist.... and the information given is general as there are no specifics.

The cheekbone is the arch that you feel directly under the eye and in some ways functions to protect the eye by taking the impact. The good news is that the x-rays for this bone also show the main eye socket, so it is reasonable to assume that there is no fracture here, especially when you have not mentioned any eye or sight issues.

Now imagine a bridge...

If the arch just breaks in one place then it can be put back together easily and will repair itself (over time) with no need for intervention

However if the arch breaks in two places then the center span will need to be fixed back in place - a minor surgical procedure.

The only "downside" I know of is cosmetic and a depressed fracture (collapsed bridge arch) needs to be addressed at the time rather than later.

One thing I would say is that when you do see him - facial injuries always look bad as the swelling and bruising that happens with any injury is more accentuated in the face. The face is something we use as recognition, hence we tend to believe the worst as opposed to taking in that the injury itself is minor.

But then again there are bragging rights earned here...

"There I was in the middle of nowhere...."

 

[arallsopp]

Sorry to hear it Pete. Nasty shake up there, mate. Sounds like he's going to be OK though, so do what you can to reassure those around you.

As you said, there mightn't have been another vehicle. Aperitif of this parish had a similar off, not that long back, suddenly dumping himself into the road on his face. Similar damage, similar knock out.

Don't go searching for the thread though. The pics'll upset you.

He's an ugly bugger.

 

[Coco]

(It is a Bank Holiday weekend after all).

Not up here it's not/wasn't

 

[magnatom]

Really sorry to hear that.

Fingers crossed it isn't too bad and that he has a speedy recovery. Let's hope we find out what happened as well.

 

[just jim]

My sympathies to you all Pete - it must have bee a difficult phone call.

Personally I didn't enjoy the times I've cycled along the A82. It's fast, narrow and twisty with some impatient drivers, and hordes of motorcyclists zipping past.

 

[adds21]

Sorry to hear about this Pete. I hope he recovers soon.

 

[661-Pete]

Thanks all for the support, especially Cunobelin's, valuable info!
Will be phoning hospital again shortly, not heard from them; no news is good news I suppose.
Finding out what happened may be problematic. Finding his bike may be equally problematic. Paramedics told me they did contact police, didn't say which force (I didn't think to ask). I've just spent a frustrating morning phoning all around no fewer than four police forces (Highland, Strathclyde, Central and Tayside) all of who apparently cover part of that road. The only one who admitted having had any sort of call about a RTA on the A82 were Central, and they told me they passed the call on to Tayside, who deny all knowledge. So it could be that no officer attended the scene, and it could be that no-one has attempted to retrieve the bike*. Talk about lack of joined-up management! ! Do they have a Police Complaints authority in Scotland?

Anyway, getting my son back together is the main thing. Bikes can be replaced, he wasn't altogether happy with that one anyway.

(*if anyone's cycling along the A82 Rannoch moor area in the next day or two, could they please PM me)

 

[HLaB]

I've never used them so I cant say if its worthwhile the Police Complaints Commissioner for Scotland .

Back on the important subject and reiterate earlier comments, all the best to your son and to wish him a speedy recovery.