Cyclist clinging to life!!

Be careful out there folks!! Guy drove into a group of five triathletes!!

Robert Wein, 36, was the most seriously injured and suffered severe brain trauma. He is a father of two and a triathlete who completed a half-Ironman triathlon last weekend. He has not regained consciousness and remains in critical condition.

Another cyclist, Cathy Anderson, saw her left arm and elbow badly fractured in the accident. Fellow cyclists Mark White, Rob Harland and Hilary McNamee were also hurt. Their injuries include concussions, broken bones and lacerations.

When paramedics arrived at the scene of the morning crash, at least three of the victims were still unconscious and the driver was gone. A suspect turned himself in to police about two hours later.

Sommit Luangpakham, 45, of Ottawa is charged with five counts of failure to stop at scene of accident causing bodily harm. More charges are pending.

He appeared in court Monday and was remanded in custody for at least three days while police continue their investigation.

Ottawa police say they have located the minivan believed to have been involved in the incident.

All the cyclists were part of a group that cycles together every weekend to train for triathalons. They were travelling together in a dedicated cycling lane on the four-lane road and all were said to be wearing protective gear, including helmets.

Darryl Wilton, Ottawa Paramedics superintendent of operations, told CTV.ca that the distance between the point of the first impact and the patient furthest away was 120 metres.



Edited by jellyman 2009-07-20 9:27 PM