A 78-YEAR-OLD triathlete who feared he might never ride a bike again after a collision with a car is now well on his way to getting back in the saddle.
On August 23, James McKellar was cycling with Oxted Cycling Club in Holtye Road, East Grinstead, when he and another rider were seriously injured in a collision involving a BMW.
Mr McKellar, of Anvil Court, Horley, suffered pelvic injuries and chipped a bone in his right leg.
He was taken to Tunbridge Wells Hospital, in Pembury, the nearest trauma centre.
But so severe was the damage to his leg, he needed more specialist treatment and skin grafts, and he was transferred to Queen Victoria Hospital.
Released from hospital after two weeks, Mr McKellar, a keen charity fundraiser, said: "We were at the back of the group and we had done about 30 to 40 miles. We are well organised and experienced cyclists.
"I heard a bang behind me and I landed on the ground – and the next thing I knew I woke up in hospital. I was worried I would never ride again."
The collision has set Mr McKellar's athletic plans back – but he is now very much on the road to recovery.
Last year, he was one of three people to compete as part of the Great Britain team in the 75 to 79 age range at the ITU World Triathlon Series championships, despite only learning to swim at the age of 74.
Mr McKellar, who has completed 120 marathons during his lifetime and raised about £500,000 for charity, said: "I was planning to qualify for that again this year, but all that has been knocked on the head for the moment. My target is to get right and hopefully I'm in the position to qualify. At the moment it's an Everest challenge."
The incident has left Mr McKellar with severe mobility issues, though he is still able to walk and wants to reassure his sponsors from past, present and future that he is fighting to return to fitness.
He also says his experience has reaffirmed the need for cyclists to always wear proper safety equipment.
Mr McKellar, whose riding helmet was split in half in the incident, added: "The fact I'm still alive, there's a story there for people who do not wear helmets."
Anyone who saw what happened and who has not yet spoken to police should call 101 or e-mail collision.appeal@sussex.pnn. police.uk, quoting serial 463 of 23/8.
