A Stirling area cyclist who was left in hospital last week with an agonising injury has taken her first step to recovery.
We told last week how cycling champion and record holder Christina Mackenzie was left nursing a double fracture to her pelvis after being struck by an SUV-type car towing a farming trailer on a busy stretch of road near Kippen whilst on a training ride.
The 45-year-old was left lying in the roadside as the driver sped away without stopping and a police investigation has been launched.
The incident occurred on Tuesday, September 27, at around 5pm on the B822 – at the Kippen roundabout.
Following the horror incident, a bruised and battered Christina, from Cambusbarron, spoke to the Observer from her hospital bed, saying: “I know the roads very well, I cycle along them all the time.
“I was approaching the roundabout and I was aware the vehicle was behind me, and then it just came up on my inside and the front of the car hit me on the right side of my body.
“ Then the trailer came and that just wiped me out.”
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Over the weekend, she updated her followers on social media, posting a photo of herself using a walking aid, on her feet for the first time following the shocking incident – describing the device as “my new wheels”.
She posted: “After three days with no mobility and severe pain, it was great to finally get out of bed, shuffle and shower.”
Posing in a stylish Percy Pig night gown, Christina joked: “Who needs lycra when a Marks and Spencer Percy Pig nightie puts a smile on your face.”
We told last week how Christina – a member of Stirling Bike Club – was out on a training ride in preparation for two races at the weekend – the women’s veterans national championships and Tour of the Trossachs.
Christina, originally from Stornoway, said she was approaching the roundabout from the direction of Stirling and indicated to turn right with her arm and moved to the right hand side of the carriageway. It was at that point she said that a vehicle, believed to have been an SUV-type car, came up on her right side, colliding with her before the trailer it was towing also hit her, knocking her onto the ground.
She was taken to Forth Valley Royal Hospital where surgeons were assessing whether her injury would require an operation.
Police Scotland last week said that they were looking into the shocking collision. A spokesperson said: “Enquiries are ongoing to trace the driver and anyone with information that could help, including dash-cam footage, is asked to contact Police Scotland.”
Anyone with information should contact police on 101, quoting incident number 2444 of Tuesday, September 27.
Christina holds the LEJOG and NC500 world records and is the national 12 hour time trial holder, among a long list of other achievements.
She made history last July when she completed the 839-mile cross-country journey from Land’s End to John o’Groats in 51 hours, five minutes and 27 seconds.
The Cambusbarron cyclist then put another record in her sights – aiming to become the fastest woman in history to cycle the North Coast 500 route, which she achieved.
