The world’s largest timed race, The Cape Argus Pick ‘n Pay Cycle Tour, took place in Cape Town on Sunday, 12 March 2006. Medi-Clinic and emergency medical services were on hand to ensure that both cyclists and spectators who required medical attention, received the correct treatment as soon as possible, often administering treatment at the scene of the incident.
In case of an accident Medi-Clinic had 16 strategically positioned medical points in addition to the main medical centre located at the race finish. These points were staffed by approximately 100 nurses, 30 doctors and 600 other health care professionals.
Dr Basil Bonner, head of trauma unit at Milnerton Medi-Clinic and Cycle Tour Race Doctor, confirmed the following injury statistics from the event:
One fatality.
A total of 64 cyclists were taken to hospital for treatment.
Of those 64 only 9 are still hospitalised and all are recovering well. One has had a cardiac stent and is doing well. The other are recovering in various wards, none remain in ICU.
A few patients needed to undergo surgery for tendon repair, hip procedures and other orthopaedic injuries.
Dr. Bonner advised “considering the wet conditions, the 2006 Cycle Tour was a quieter year in terms of injuries as opposed to previous years. Perhaps an indication that cyclists do indeed ride safer in less favourable conditions. Medi-Clinic endeavours to make this race as predictably safe as possible, both in the pre-race information and on the race day.”
No comments:
Post a Comment