City worker describes 'miraculous' recovery after being left in coma by cyclist who jumped red light
Anthony Da Costa was left with a bruised brain and fractured skull when cyclist Reeve Allen jumped a red light and hit him in the City of London
Cyclist Reeve Allen, 26, was handed an £850 fine by Hammersmith Magistrates Court on Tuesday, February 9, after he jumped a red light and left a city worker in a coma for six days.
The incident happened near London Wall on June 30 last year, with Anthony Da Costa, 34, suffering a bruised brain and a fractured skull in the collision.
>>> Cyclist filmed jumping six red lights in London by fellow rider (video)
Westminster resident Mr Da Costa was knocked unconscious, but was given CPR by a doctor who was reportedly buying a coffee nearby. He says he was warned by surgeons that he may not fully recover from his brain injuries.
He's quoted in the Evening Standard as saying: “In August the neurosurgeon warned that certain aspects of myself may never be the same and that if I had half the level of energy by December it would be equivalent to an Olympic achievement — that is why I believe my recovery was miraculous.
>>> Cyclists in Paris are now allowed to jump red lights
"At this stage the only obvious consequence is that I have lost my sense of smell completely and that also affects taste.”
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Reeve, of Nuneaton, was fined £850 and ordered to pay costs of £150 and a victim surcharge of £85 after pleading guilty to cycling without due care and attention and causing serious injury.
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Stuart Clarke is a News Associates trained journalist who has worked for the likes of the British Olympic Associate, British Rowing and the England and Wales Cricket Board, and of course Cycling Weekly. His work at Cycling Weekly has focused upon professional racing, following the World Tour races and its characters.
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