Student fighting for recovery after collision with car
CYCLIST SUFFERED TRAUMATIC BRAIN INJURY DURING CRASH
A STUDENT left fighting for his life when he collided with a car while out cycling says he is determined to overcome the “struggles” of his recovery and graduate from university.
Billy Draper-Barr suffered a traumatic brain injury in the crash in Hammersmith at 8.15am on August 7, 2020.
The 21-year-old was thrown onto the windscreen of the Mercedes C class before falling to the ground.
He managed to pull himself to the side of the road and dialled 999 before losing consciousness.
He said: “All I can remember about the collision was suddenly seeing a car pulling out, and then me coming off the bike and ending up on the ground.
“I’m not sure how, but I managed to get to the roadside and dial 999, thinking it was important I stayed awake.
“The next thing I knew I was in the hospital hooked up to various machines.”
Billy, a mechanical engineering student at Imperial College London, was taken to St Mary’s Hospital, where he underwent an emergency craniotomy to relieve a bleed on the brain.
He was a second-year student at the time, completing a summer internship with a medical technology firm.
It was on a routine cycle to work in
North End Road that his changed forever.
After that, Billy spent nearly two weeks in hospital before being discharged home to be cared for by his parents.
Miraculously, Billy has since sat his second-year university exams and returned to his studies.
He said: “Over the last few months, attempting to come to terms with what happened has been difficult.
“Before the collision, I was on top of my studies and was really enjoying my internship. But the last few months have been a lot harder, it takes a lot more planning to ensure that I don’t fall behind.”
Billy is still under the care of consultants at St Mary’s Hospital and is trying hard to catch up on his course.
He added: “I struggle to concentrate as much because I tire easily and sometimes struggle to find the words I want to say.”
The lasting impact of his injuries is not yet known, but he is determined to graduate with the support of his friends and family. He said: “I now want to remain focused on my studies and making the best possible recovery I can. just hope that by speaking out, people in a similar position realise that there’s help and support available and that it makes such a difference.” life was