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Fit and active Roger Rennie had been cycling for 40-plus years when he recently suffered two fractured vertebrae in a serious cycling accident while competing in a national cycle race. Today, he owes his life to his decision to always wear a quality helmet, and he is calling on everyone who cycles to ensure they are protected from head injuries too.

“Cycling has been a long-held passion of mine. Having raced and ridden for so long, when I’m asked for advice, I always say, whatever your riding goals, you should buy the best helmet you can afford because you are trusting it with your life every time you get on a bike,” Roger says.

Netcare 911 advanced life support paramedic Kyle Shiel and paramedics Nick Berry and Vhuthu Raphalalani, as well as Wayne Kruger of SARZA Search and Rescue were first on the scene to assist the injured cyclist when the accident happened during a time trial that Roger had specially travelled from Ballito, KwaZulu-Natal, to Johannesburg to take part in.

Ballito resident Roger Rennie sustained a serious injury in a cycling accident while competing in an event in Johannesburg. First responders, Netcare 911’s Kyle Shiel, Nick Berry and Vhuthu Raphalalani as well as Wayne Kruger of SARZA, bid him farewell at the airport when he was discharged from Netcare Alberton Hospital after surgery and was well enough to travel home to KwaZulu-Natal.

 

Recovering back home, Roger is pictured with his wife, Ann Rennie, his daughter Shannon Berriman and son-in-law Brett Berriman. The family expressed their gratitude to Netcare 911, and the medical team at Netcare Alberton Hospital, including neurosurgeon Dr Tommy Mbuyane, trauma surgeon Dr Naadiyah Laher and intensive care specialist Dr Sooraj Motilall.

 

Specialists and paramedics note that Roger Rennie’s survival is largely attributable to the fact that he was wearing a bicycle helmet. Celebrating his 78th birthday shortly after his ordeal, Roger urges all cyclists to consistently wear a quality, properly fitting helmet to protect against head injuries.

 

Although his road cycling days are now behind him, Roger Rennie is still keeping fit and active by training on an indoor cycle.

 

“When we first assessed Roger, he was lying on the ground with severe pain in his neck, and he told us that he had broken his neck in his younger days. We knew we had to be extra cautious when moving him, and we used spinal motion protection protocols, including a vacuum mattress, which is world gold standard equipment designed for emergency transport of patients with possible neck and spinal injuries,” Shiel explains.

“Roger was also asking us the same questions, repeatedly, which made us concerned he may have a concussion. Seeing the damage to the helmet and  Roger’s injuries gave us an indication of the force with which he came off his bicycle. If he hadn’t been wearing a helmet, he would certainly have suffered major head injuries, in addition to the suspected neck or spinal injury we were dealing with.”

Given the complexity of Roger’s injuries and his age, the Netcare 911 team was relieved to see his vitals were stable, and Kyle administered pain medication before the patient was carefully transported to the nearest appropriate emergency department, the level 1 trauma centre at Netcare Alberton Hospital.

“We were at home in Ballito when we received the awful call informing us of Dad’s accident. We felt so helpless and desperate, not knowing how my dad was, and we were praying that he would receive the correct medical attention,” Roger’s daughter, Shannon Berriman, recalls.

“We then received a phone call from my dad, once he was assessed in hospital, letting us know that he had broken his neck very badly, and had to be rushed into theatre for emergency surgery due to a haematoma that was putting pressure on his spinal cord.”

The family anxiously arranged flights for the following morning. Trauma surgeon Dr Naadiyah Laher stabilised Roger on arrival at the hospital in preparation for surgery. Dr Tommy Mbuyane operated for eight hours through the night to stabilise Roger’s C1 and C2 spinal vertebrae, the top two vertebrae of the spinal column just below his skull.

“Mr Rennie presented with complex fractures and dislocation of the first two vertebral bones, C1 and C2. It was complicated by angulation, known as kyphosis, and a spinal clot, or haematoma, compressing the spinal cord and risking life and paralysis,” Dr Mbuyane says.

Doctors prepared Roger’s family that there was a risk he may never walk again, and it was therefore an enormous relief when he awoke from an induced coma the day after surgery in the trauma ICU under the care of Dr Laher and intensive care specialist Dr Sooraj Motilall. Roger was not only able to move, he was soon stretching his legs and walking around.

“Fortunately, when he reached us he was alive and able to feel and move all his limbs. This is attributable to the bicycle helmet and exceptional work by the first responders on scene. He was promptly taken to theatre for a spine fusion, and he recovered well from surgery and was discharged about a week later,” Dr Mbuyane says.

Dr Mbuyane thanked Netcare 911 and Netcare Alberton Hospital’s theatre staff, trauma Intensive Care Unit and ward staff members who were involved in Roger’s care.

“Mr Rennie must be applauded for adhering to safety standards while cycling, as helmets do indeed save lives and prevent disabilities,” Dr Mbuyane says.  

The family were touched when Kyle, who attended to Roger on the scene, came to visit him in hospital. “Kyle and the Netcare 911 team will forever hold a very dear space in our hearts for caring for my dad so much and for their part in saving his life. We are also thankful to Dr Laher, Dr Motilall, Dr Mbuyane and the entire team at Netcare Alberton Hospital for their expertise and care,” she says.

Roger was discharged from hospital a week later and the Netcare 911 team and Wayne from SARZA were at the airport to wish him well on his return to KwaZulu-Natal. In early March, Roger celebrated his 78th birthday back home in Ballito, and he is continuing his training on an indoor smart bike to maintain his fitness levels.

“Even though my road cycling days are behind me, I want to take this opportunity to share my experience and encourage anyone who rides to wear a good quality, well-fitting helmet when cycling any distance, whether long or short. It could save your life, as it saved mine,” Roger concludes.

Safety first – head and spinal injury prevention

Head injuries from bicycle accidents can lead to catastrophic and even fatal injuries. In terms of South Africa’s National Road Traffic Act, it is compulsory to wear a helmet when riding a bicycle.

Advanced life support medic Kyle Shiel of Netcare 911 offers the following safety tips for cyclists:

1. Always wear appropriate protective gear, including a helmet.
2. Check that your helmet fits you snugly and is correctly fastened under the chin.
3. Helmets are designed to withstand one impact only. Replace, even if there is no visible damage.
4. Wherever possible, don’t ride alone. Use the buddy system, and make sure you have your medical information and emergency contact details with you, or register your profile on the Netcare app.

First aid for suspected spinal injuries:
“If you are first on the scene to any accident where the person may have injured their neck, back or spine, please do not attempt to move them as this can risk further injury, which could have lasting consequences,” Shiel explains.

“Signs of possible spinal injury include if the person is lying at an unnatural angle, if the shape of the spine or neck seems unusual, or if they are complaining of pain in those areas.”

• Please do not move the person unless they are in immediate danger, e.g. from fire or other sources of injury.
• Call emergency medical services, such as Netcare 911 on 082 911 or via the Netcare app call function and follow any instructions until the ambulance arrives.
• Keep the person still and offer reassurance until professional help arrives.

Ends.

Notes to editors
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