Thursday, March 28, 2024

Siskiyou Velo

Southern Oregon's Premier Cycling Club

Club Member Ken Kelley

by admin on Jul, 23 2016

On this morning’s Velo Slo-Mo ride, our ride leader, Ken Kelley had a head-on with another bicyclist on the bike path.  Ken was knocked over backwards and landed encased by parts of his bike.

Ken was about 10’ in front of me.  We had descended the Barnett Rd overpass heading to Bear Creek Park– the end of the day’s ride.  On a slight up hill curve heading up to the Park, this guy zooms around the curve and comes into view about 12’ ahead of Ken.  Ken was moving slowly and I suspect he assumed the oncoming fast guy would swerve around him.  That’s what I anticipated he’d do.  Instead, he drove directly into Ken.  Ken flipped up and was thrown backwards with the guy and his bike landing on top of him.

He was unconscious for some 10 minutes with blood coming from his nose and mouth.

The fellow who collided with him landed on top of Ken and was quick to get up and after collecting his bike, said he’d rush off for help.  That’s the last we saw of him.  He was 30ish and hippy looking.

A 911 call brought EMT assistance in minutes.  They braced his neck and untangled him from his bike and onto a board and from there to an ambulance.

Two hours later, I just spoke with him and his wife in ER.  He’s ok but still has a problem with his arm.  They’ll keep him overnight.

Phil Gagnon

Comments

  • Phil Gagnon

    7/23/2016 at 10:32PM

    Some of you have asked for more info on the incident. Ken was about 10’ in front of me. We had descended the Barnett Rd overpass heading to Bear Creek Park-- the end of the day’s ride. On a slight up hill curve heading up to the Park, this guy zooms around the curve and comes into view about 12’ ahead of Ken. Ken was moving slowly and I suspect he assumed the oncoming fast guy would swerve around him. That’s what I anticipated he’d do. Instead, he drove directly into Ken. Ken flipped up and was thrown backwards with the guy and his bike landing on top of him.

    Phil

  • Gary Shaff

    7/23/2016 at 10:38PM

    Ken,
    Hoping for your speedy recovery. Best wishes!

  • star@mind.net

    7/23/2016 at 10:50PM

    According to Ken's wife, he now undergoes surgery to correct some impairment with several ribs. He'll be unable to bike ride for months. Rehab she said follows.

  • Patt Colwell

    7/24/2016 at 4:17PM

    Ken,
    So glad to hear you are already better than yesterday. (That was scary.) We know you are tough (obviously) and will continue to make progress toward full recovery. Keep us posted. Go Ken!

  • Lorna Chateauneuf

    7/26/2016 at 5:46PM

    Oh NO Ken!
    So sorry to hear of your accident & injuries!
    Knowing you are one tough guy, strong & resilient, I know this will not stop your love of being on that bike & looking beyond what is, to what will be, down the road.
    In the mean time, be good to yourself, may you heal quickly & progress rapidly! May you get CUTE nurses / rehab gals who spoil you! :D
    Hope to see you on the road again, soon!

  • Jennifer Reynolds

    7/28/2016 at 7:15AM

    Wishing you a speedy recovery with e least amount of pain possible!

  • Carlyle Stout

    7/28/2016 at 7:17AM

    Ken,

    I wish you a speedy and healthy recovery. Your bike is waiting patiently for you and will just as stoked as you to go riding again.

  • Linda Gamble

    7/28/2016 at 7:24AM

    Get well fast, Ken.

  • willi

    7/28/2016 at 9:01AM

    with your positive attitude, you'll recover quicker than you anticipate!

    resilience!!

  • Carol Ingelson

    7/28/2016 at 11:18AM

    Keep up your spirits, Ken. All best wishes for a good recovery.

  • Ken Ward

    7/29/2016 at 12:14PM

    Wish you a speedy recovery.

  • Ken Kelley

    8/12/2016 at 8:09PM

    I was released from the Inpatient Rehabilitation Center yesterday around noon. It is nice to be home after 19 days of hospitalization and rehab. The professionals at Rogue Regional Medical Center treated me very well. I will have follow on physical and occupational therapy over the next several weeks, depending on progress. I will be in a thoracic brace for three months, but basically I'm OK.
    I hope to see you at the ice cream social tomorrow.
    Ken

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