A charity bicycle tour in Australia to support people with multiple sclerosis drew a record number of participants this past weekend, as well as a record number of ambulance calls.
The 2008 Sydney to Gong Bike Ride drew 14,000 riders this weekend, raising an estimated $1.7 million for the MS foundation.
It wasn't without a toll, however. According to news reports, paramedics treated 24 cyclists, half of whom required hospitalization. Further, the St. John Ambulance teams treated 300 people for injuries such as cuts and bruises, as well as conditions like dehydration.
Injuries
Among the serious injuries reported in the Illawarra Mercury:
— An 83-year-old man suffered critical head injuries after losing control of his bike while riding down a hill on Lawrence Hargrave Dr at Thirroul just after midday. He was taken to Wollongong Hospital and was last night reported in a critical condition. He later died (see comment below).
— A 65-year-old rider suffered a heart attack on Sea Cliff Bridge at 2pm. He was revived by paramedics and was last night in a stable condition in Wollongong Hospital.
— A 67-year-old rider went over his handlebars on McKell Dr, Waterfall. He was taken to St George Hospital suffering head and chest injuries.
Donation
I've participated in mass bike tours before and heard organizers thank the emergency medical crews for the work they do during the ride. But fortunately I never required medical attention and didn't give it much thought.
Consider the duties they performed during this ride in Australia. The Sydney Morning Herald suggested organizers might want to consider given the paramedics and ambulance crews a donation for the critical services they performed.
This is the 27th year for the event. Riders chose either a 56-mile tour from St. Peters to Wollongong through the Royal National Park or a 35-mile ride from Heathcote to Wollongong.
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