Doctor shows signs of improvement after fall

LIFE IN DANGER AFTER GLENDALOUGH ACCIDENT

A MALAYSIAN doctor who was left fighting for his life after suffering severe head injuries after falling into a ravine in Glendalough is showing signs of improvement.

Forty- year- old Dr. Zekri Hashim was cycling with a group of friends downhill in the Glendalough Valley when he lost control of his bicycle at a dangerous bend and fell into a two-metre ravine.

He was airlifted by helicopter to hospital and tests revealed he had sustained a serious head injury and internal injuries as a result of the fall.

He also suffered bruising and other minor injuries to his face and other parts of his body.

While Dr. Hashim remains under sedation at the Intensive Care Unit at St. James Hospital, Dublin, he has responded positively to treatment.

Speaking in Malaysia, his sister Zizie Hashim says her brother was able to move his arms and legs when he underwent tests. A doctor has also informed the family that Dr. Hashim still has brain activity.

‘ The anaesthetists sent me an SMS saying that my brother is showing encouraging signs and that his injuries were not as bad as they had initially thought.

‘ The doctors are repeating some scans and will liaise with the Neurosurgery Department soon.'

Dr. Hashim has lived in Dublin for the past 15 years and is a medical examiner at Irish Life & Permanent, a medical officer for The Marlay Nursing Home and a visiting physician at Caritas Convalescent Centre.

Previously he was a doctor at Mount Carmel Private Hospital and was educated at University College Dublin and the National University of Ireland in Galway.

His wife and the couple's two children, a three-year-old son and ten-year-old daughter, have remained at his bedside ever since the accident. Dr. Hashim is a member of the Lucanbased Kembara Cycling Club, made up of Malaysian people living in Ireland. The club has suspended all of their activities since the accident occurred on March 30.

Dr. Hashim was cycling ahead of four friends when he lost control of his bicycle while approaching a bend at around 3.30 p. m. in the afternoon. A couple of Irish cyclists witnessed the accident and were able to pull him out of the ravine. His four friends were cycling some distance behind him and only became aware of the incident later on.