Maniac Cyclist hit by car - update on page 2

[DougG]

A Maniac who many of us are friends with, and One of the most inspiring people I know, Rick Ball had a cycling accident yesterday. Luckily he will be ok.

. ORILLIA - Area athlete Rick Ball is in hospital after being struck by a vehicle while cycling on Wednesday.

According to police, Ball was riding his bicycle at about 12:15 p.m. when he was struck by a vehicle at the intersection of Coldwater Road and Emily Street.

Ball was taken to Orillia Soldiers' Memorial Hospital, but his longtime running coach, Roger DePlancke, told QMI Agency that he was later taken to Royal Victoria Regional Health Centre in Barrie to be treated for a broken arm.

Ball, who lost his left leg below the knee after a motorcycle crash in 1986, competed in last year's Para Pan-American Games in Mexico. He finished fifth in the 400-metre sprint. He was also named the 2011 Ontario Parasport Male Athlete of the Year.

Before Wednesday's collision, Ball had just started triathlon training with the hope of joining Team Canada at the 2016 Summer Paralympic Games in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil, DePlancke said.

"This will change the training," DePlancke said of the crash. "If he recovers OK, he could go ahead."

It's another setback for Ball, whose dreams of joining Team Canada at this year's Summer Paralympic Games in London, England, were dashed after he tore a calf muscle, preventing him from attending trials in Calgary.

Ball called DePlancke from the hospital Wednesday, and DePlancke said the athlete was "pretty disappointed."

DePlancke said he hopes the broken arm is the worst of Ball's injuries, as something like a broken hip "could very likely end your athletic career."

According to Orillia OPP, both Ball and the driver of the vehicle were travelling east on Coldwater Road when the driver made a right-hand turn and struck Ball.

The driver, an 18-year-old Orillia man, has been charged under the Highway Traffic Act.

[scrumhalfgirl]

Oh dear - that's terrible! Thanks for letting us know.

Rick - wishing you a speedy recovery.

[Jo-Jo]

Thanks for letting us know.
Here's hoping for a speedy recovery.

[HCcD]

Recover well, Rick ...

[La]

FFS. I hate hearing about crap like this. The driver made a right-hand turn in front of him - that's inexcusable!

Heal up soon, Rick! We're all pulling for you.

[RA.]

That sucks. But, thank goodness it wasn't worse. Heal fast, Rick!

[Miss*Smiles]

Terrible.

Heal up soon Rick!!

[purdy65]

Oh no! Recover well Rick!

[drghfx]

Heal quickly Rick!

[trixiee]

Hope the bone knits together well, with no lingering effects! All the best Rick.

[Tori]

Hoping for a speedy recovery!

[carm]

Get well soon, Rick! Sorry to hear about your accident.

[Darth Tater]

FFS. I hate hearing about crap like this. The driver made a right-hand turn in front of him - that's inexcusable!

Heal up soon, Rick! We're all pulling for you.

Agree with both points!

[Avis]

So sorry to read about this. It sucks! Hope that arm heals up very fast and very well!

[Samantha]

FFS. I hate hearing about crap like this. The driver made a right-hand turn in front of him - that's inexcusable!

Heal up soon, Rick! We're all pulling for you.

Agree with both points!

Also agree! Get better soon!

[eme]

Get better soon Rick!

[FishHog]

Best recovery wishes Rick.

[Hammie]

Terrible news - hoping for a speedy recovery.

[fingerboy]

Get well soon!

F'ing drivers... Canada post truck almost struck me down today.

[BJH]

That sucks. Heal well, Rick.

[Annelizabeth]

Ohhh that sucks. Fast healing !!

[jonovision_man]

FFS. I hate hearing about crap like this. The driver made a right-hand turn in front of him - that's inexcusable!

Not that it's an excuse, but it's an 18-year-old kid... probably just inexperience. Hopefully Rick pops by and fills in the missing details. Get better dude.

jono

[jes]

Healing vibes headed your way Rick!

[Jwolf]

Scary stuff. Happy healing, Rick.

[Engmomma]

Ugh...get better Rick.