No bull - cyclist to undergo surgery after buffalo collision

06 May 2015 - 18:10 By Barry Mccallum

SuperCycling presenter and former professional cyclist Andrew Mclean was hospitalised after a collision with a buffalo near the Cradle of Humankind on Wednesday morning. News of a roaming buffalo spread when a caller to Radio 702’s Early Breakfast Show‚ who identified himself as Ray‚ said it was running loose in Fourways just after 5am.Sightings were soon being posted on Twitter with Richard van Zyl (@ElevationIdeas) saying: “Road Closed‚ near Dainfern. Looks like a buffalo was struck by a car took out cyclists too. EMS on scene”.Mclean’s wife Ali later tweeted pictures of a dead buffalo and Andrew’s ruined bicycle:In case you don't believe it. Andrew Going in for X-rays now pic.twitter.com/xoMBDn24eK — Ali Mclean (@alimclean) May 6, 2015bullShe later posted X-rays showing her husband’s injuries‚ and said the accident occurred while Andrew and the group he was with were “descending Timber Hill on way out to (the) Cradle".Happened descending timber hill on way out to cradle. Still xraying but here are a few. @TreadMTBmag buffalo cat? pic.twitter.com/9RPv6No6v9 — Ali Mclean (@alimclean) May 6, 2015bonespic.twitter.com/0gUbCJIvYc— Ali Mclean (@alimclean) May 6, 2015bonesAli Mclean later told RDM News Wire that‚ according to Andrew‚ there was no car involved and the "buffalo was definitely dead when he hit it"."The odd thing is that it was boiling hot‚" said Ali. "It was sweaty and had steam rising from it."She described as "rubbish" reports that the buffalo's head "had a massive injury and all four legs were broken". She also said that the tail was intact at the scene of the accident‚ although some reports said it was missing when it was arrived at the Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals (SPCA) after being removed."I took photos and it was perfect‚" said Ali.Andrew was expected to be operated on after 7pm on Wednesday. The other two riders to collide with the animal sustained abrasions‚ Ali said‚ and were at home.When contacted early on Wednesday morning‚ NSPCA spokeswoman Ainsley Hay was not aware of the incident‚ but was concerned about the possibility of a buffalo roaming near an area like Dainfern.She also pointed out that it was unlikely that a buffalo would have been killed by an impact with cyclists‚ and that is was more probable that a vehicle was involved.-RDM News Wire..

There’s never been a more important time to support independent media.

From World War 1 to present-day cosmopolitan South Africa and beyond, the Sunday Times has been a pillar in covering the stories that matter to you.

For just R80 you can become a premium member (digital access) and support a publication that has played an important political and social role in South Africa for over a century of Sundays. You can cancel anytime.

Already subscribed? Sign in below.



Questions or problems? Email helpdesk@timeslive.co.za or call 0860 52 52 00.