Close call after ulta-marathon
2009-10-01
Maggie Follett
WELL-KNOWN Wellington producer and videographer, Johan Swanepoel, had a narrow escape while returning from helping to man a water-point at the Bain’s Kloof Ultra-marathon on Thursday last week. A member of the Rapportryers, Johan is a regular volunteer at such events. He was descending the pass en route to his Wellington home at about 16:00 on Thursday when the wheel of his trusty scooter (“poegie”) apparently struck a bump on the wet road surface. “I don’t really know what happened. I wasn’t driving particularly fast. I felt the scooter hit something and next moment it just slid out from under me. “I tumbled off and hit the gravel, landing hard on my shoulder. It was a very close call!” says a shaken Johan. The impact fractured his right collar-bone, as well as eight ribs, one of them puncturing a lung. Johan would like to express his gratitude to the unknown “Good Samaritans” who were driving behind him when the accident happened, and stayed by his side until help arrived. “Because of the pain and shock I wasn’t in a fit state to remember details, but I really appreciate their kindness and concern.” Swanepoel was rushed to hospital where his lung was drained and he underwent an operation to repair his broken collar-bone on Tuesday. Depending on his progress, he is expected to be discharged by the weekend.
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