National Cyclist Knocked Down By Car During Commonwealth Games Training

SEA Games gold medallist and the country's leading triathlete, Kimberley Yap, suffered injuries when a car knocked her down while training for the Glasgow Commonwealth Games, near the Penchala Link tunnel, Wednesday morning.

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Police said that at 8.45am, Yap was cycling home by the side of the Penchala Link towards Damansara after the tunnel, when she was rammed from the back by the offending vehicle.

National Sports Council (NSC) media officer Fahmi Omar when contacted by Bernama said during the accident Kimberley Yap was riding her bicycle at KM43.1 (near the Penchala Link tunnel).

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"She was believed to have been knocked down by a car that changed lanes (right to left) before hitting Kimberley Yap's bicycle."

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"She was thrown off her bicycle due to the impact," he said adding that the NSC was monitoring her condition and assisting in handling the case.

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The 28-year-old double SEA Games gold medallist reportedly suffered a tear to her left thigh and calf, and injuries to the head. However, she is reportedly in stable condition at the Universiti Malaya Medical Centre (UMMC).

A CT scan was also conducted on the national cyclist and found none of her vital organs were damaged.

therakyatpost.com

Police are giving the driver of the Toyota Harrier that allegedly knocked down triathlete medalist Kimbeley Yap Fui Li 24 hours in which to turn himself in.

Kuala Lumpur Investigation and Traffic Law acting staff officer ASP Mohd Fadhli Daud said authorities have identified the driver of the vehicle after recording statements from several witnesses and Yap’s family. “We have contacted him. If he fails to show up by tomorrow, we will pursue this as a hit-and-run case under Section 42(1) of the Road Transport Act,” he said.

The 20-year-old driver of the Toyota Harrier that allegedly knocked down triathlon gold medallist Kimbeley Yap Fui Li has turned himself in. Kuala Lumpur traffic police chief ACP Rusli Mohd Noor said the private college student turned up at the Petaling Jaya traffic police station, Wednesday evening to lodge a report on the 8.45am incident and was cooperating with police in the investigation.

He is being investigated under Section 42(1) of the Road Transport Act for reckless and dangerous driving, said ACP Rusli. If convicted, the suspect could face up to five-years jail and a fine of RM5, 000 to RM15, 000.

Yap won the Sea Games gold medals in 2005 (Philippines) and 2007 (Thailand).

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Kimberley Yap, a former National swimmer who won a bronze medal in the 1999 Brunei SEA Games and 2001 Kuala Lumpur SEA Games, turned her attention to triathlon and won the triathlon gold at the 2005 Manila SEA Games hosted by the Philippines.

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She is currently preparing for the Glasgow Commonwealth Games (Scotland), scheduled in July this year.

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PLUS Malaysia had clarified that cycling on highways was illegal under the Road Transport Act, adding that bicycles, tractors and trishaws were prohibited on highways maintained by the concessionaire.

In 2012, PLUS issued an advisory asking cyclists to avoid using its highways as it might be dangerous for them due to the differences in speed of bicycles and other vehicles.

Naim, who believed Yap would have followed the guidelines for road cycling, raised the issue of driving attitude. “Unlike in Europe, the US or Australia, the cycling culture is not widely accepted here yet. “There, road users have a sense of respect for the cyclists,” said Naim.

themalaymailonline.com

“We will have to put in more effort to educate and instill awareness in them (drivers). “There are cycling lanes, and safe zones for cycling, but the cycling culture in Malaysia is still in the initial stages. “That is why we always remind the cycling teams to train only in the presence of a car escort or with a coach following on his motorbike,” he said.

themalaymailonline.com