Cyclist Herby on his way to making a full recovery

Date: 24 June 2016 By: Isabel Venter

Herby Lees, the cyclists from Pretoria who was seriously injured during the Kremetart Cycle Race, is well on his way to a full recovery.

Herby was competing in the mixed-tandem category of the race a fortnight ago, when he crashed into a stationary vehicle next to the road at the start of the fourth stage at Schoemansdal. The vehicle was an official race-support vehicle that was parked about 300m from the turn-off (facing towards Louis Trichardt) on the right-hand side of the road.

Herby hit the trailer with such force that a piece of angle iron on the back of the trailer almost completely cut off his right arm beneath the shoulder. Apart from his badly cut and broken arm, Herby’s also sustained several fractured ribs, which punctured his lungs, and a deep laceration on his right knee.

Herby was airlifted to Union Hospital in Alberton, where he underwent a series of operations to fix his arm.

Madelein Hoffman, Herby’s girlfriend, spoke to the Zoutpansberger this week and confirmed that he was back at home. He returned to the hospital on Tuesday, where the staples in his wounds were removed, so that he could start with physical therapy on Thursday. “He is doing really well, and with the therapy he will probably regain the use of his hand and arm,” said Madelein.

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Isabel Venter

Isabel joined the Zoutpansberger and Limpopo Mirror in 2009 as a reporter. She holds a BA Degree in Communication Sciences from the University of South Africa. Her beat is mainly crime and court reporting.

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Herby Lees, while still receiving treatment in the Union Hospital. Photo supplied.