70mph smash agony of round-the-world cyclist
Adventurer Josh reveals his long road to recovery after suffering multiple injuries
A SCOTS cyclist attempting a round-the-world bike ride miraculously cheated death after being hit by a car travelling at 70mph.
Josh Quigley, 27, fractured his skull, ankle, heel, pelvis and ribs, and punctured a lung when the car hit his bike from behind at night in Texas, US.
The Livingston cyclist – formerly known as the Tartan Explorer – was thrown 50ft off of his bike. He was airlifted by ambulance to hospital following the crash.
Josh, who has a long road to recovery, is at the Baylor Scott & White Medical Center about 40 miles south of Waco.
He revealed details of the horrific accident on his Facebook page yesterday. Josh said: “I’ve been involved in a car accident in the USA.
“I don’t remember much about it but I’ve been told by the police that I was struck from behind by a vehicle driving at 70mph.
“After the vehicle hit me, I was launched off the bike and landed 50ft away.
“This happened while riding at night wearing reflective clothing and with strong rear lights. I’m not yet sure what happened with the driver.
“All I know is that another vehicle stopped and attended to me and they called the ambulance.
“An ambulance helicopter arrived on the scene and I was flown to the nearest hospital.
“I can’t remember much of what happened but I can vividly remember hearing the helicopter and being aware that I was in a helicopter.”
This is the second time Josh has attempted to cycle around the world following an attempt to take his own life in 2015.
On that occasion, he awoke in hospital and realised he had been given a “second chance” at life. He made it to 14 different countries covering more than 10,000 miles.
Josh completed the third leg of his current around-the-world cycle in October when he covered more than 3300 miles across Australia from Perth to Sydney.
Following the crash, he has been fitted with a tube in his chest to stop his lung collapsing but he is determined to finish his cycle challenge.
It could be months before Josh is fit enough to walk or get back on his bike but he is grateful to have escaped with his life.
He added: “It’s looking like at least six to eight weeks before I can walk again or ride a bike.
“But for now I’m just happy to be alive.
“I won’t get to finish this year. But as always I will find a way to overcome this and finish what I started.”