Cyclists escape death on road

Ogiste had to be rushed to the Medical Associates private hospital in St Joseph for an X-ray and CT scan after being told the equipment at the Eric Williams Medical Sciences Complex has not functional. The pedal pusher who has been training hard with an aim of making it on the national team complained of severe headaches and a badly bruised body.

Meanwhile Samuel, who is the brother of former national champion cyclist Gene Samuel was taken to the St Clair Medical Centre in Port-of-Spain, another private medical facility.

Samuel is suspected to have suffered broken ribs and other lacerations on his body. He too was subjected to a series of X-rays and CT scans to detect broken bones and limbs.

The incident occurred when a bunch of cyclists were on their usual training ride on Saturdays which took them to Lopinot, Arouca at approximately 9.30 am.

The riders were heading west along the Churchill-Roosevelt Highway under the escort of two police officers before they were reportedly hit by a car.

On approaching the Grand Bazaar intersection, Newsday learnt that one of the police officers drove ahead to stop the flow of traffic, while the other officer was keeping pace with the leading cyclists.

It was at this point that a motorist reportedly overtook the line of vehicles and smashed into the cyclists.

According to former national cyclist now events promoter Michael Phillips, Ogiste and Samuel were the first to be felled while six others took a tumble while attempting to protect themselves. Phillips said the estimated damage to the equipment of the two cyclists totals $40,000 as they have been broken in six places. The driver was said to have been taken to the St Joseph Police Station for questioning.