A Table View resident is appealing to anyone who witnessed an accident involving a truck and motorcycle last week to come forward with information after sustaining serious leg injuries.
Michele Gleeson was travelling on her Yamaha 250cc on the N1 highway on Wednesday 15 June around 10:45 when she was knocked off her motorcycle. The accident caused serious injuries to her right leg.
The accident occurred on the N1 (incoming) just before the Plattekloof Road offramp.
“I was on my way home basically travelling in the slow lane. I was going to take the Monte Vista turn-off, but as I approached the Plattekloof Road offramp, a truck came and cut me off as it wanted to go to the offramp as well.”
According to Gleeson the back of the truck’s trailer clipped her motorcycle.
She says it is possible that the truck driver did not notice her in his rear-view mirror.
“The impact was not big, I just basically got knocked off the motorcycle, but the damage was done when I fell and I slid with the bike on top of me, and then the bike carried on sliding.”
According to her the truck was driving in the middle or far right lane when the driver apparently decided to switch lanes to go onto the offramp.
Gleeson, who only saw the back of the truck, has already filed an accident report as well as opened a case docket with the Parow police.
She says with the investigation she hopes they will be able to trace the truck driver with the help of CCTV camera footage.
“The road was very busy. I have an eye witness who saw what happened and another person who also came to help. They called the paramedics and ambulance service.”
Traffic services from the Goodwood traffic department was also on the scene.
“The eyewitness wanted to chase after the truck, but he was more worried about me in the road.”
Gleeson, a mother, was transported to the Mediclinic Panorama Hospital. Her injuries from the knee down include a ligament detachment on the ankle, shin and foot.
“I was very lucky because of the way I fell and slid on the tar. I was well padded and very protected, but if I had gone faster, I would have ended up underneath the truck.”
Gleeson, who has been riding motorcycles for 35 years now, says she struggles to walk at the moment, and is waiting on the swelling to go down to see if the doctors will have to operate. She will be seeing her orthopaedic surgeon today to determine the way forward.
“I am very lucky that I am alive,” Gleeson says.
Capt Kevin Williams, Parow police spokesperson, says an accident report was sent to the traffic department and no further details are available in their register.
