Double Paralympic gold medallist Simon Richardson is out of the induced coma he was placed in after being hit by a van in Bridgend, Wales, last month.
- Simon Richardson leading the Dragon Ride preview ride earlier this year
Richardson suffered spinal fractures, a broken pelvis and breastbone, and a detached lung as a result of the incident on August 17.
The 44-year-old is now conscious and breathing unaided, while his back fractures are not as serious as feared.
Richardson’s friend Phil Jones posted the following message on his behalf: “Thank you to everyone, I’ve no re-collection of the past month of my life so to wake up and discover what’s been going on is quite a surprise.
“I’m shocked at the sheer numbers of people who have been so supportive and just how the cycling community in particular has supported my wife Amanda and sent their messages of support to me.”
The next stage of Richardson’s recovery required him to be able to sit in a wheelchair unaided before doctors consider moving him to a trauma ward.
“Knowing Simon as we do, I’m sure that won’t take long,” wrote Jones on is blog.
Richardson was left with serious leg and back injuries after being involved in an incident with a car while riding with friends in 2001. Doctors encouraged the Welshman to continue cycling on an adapted bike, powered by his right leg, and he went on to win kilo and individual pursuit gold at the Beijing Olympic Games in 2008.
