After a prolonged battle, national cycling champion Andre Simon has tragically passed away due to health complications arising from a traffic accident over a year ago.
Simon, who had been undergoing treatment in a United States hospital, succumbed to his injuries.
The incident occurred on May 8, 2022, on the Sir George Walter Highway while Simon and fellow cyclists were training. Witnesses claim that Simon bore the brunt of the impact as a vehicle collided with the group, striking him not once, but twice.
Following several weeks of treatment at the Sir Lester Bird Medical Centre, where he developed severe bed sores, Simon was airlifted to a facility in the United States.
Despite regular updates from his family, it was revealed that Simon encountered additional complications that prevented the necessary surgery for his condition.
Throughout his struggle, many individuals participated in prayer vigils and fundraising efforts, but doubts lingered regarding Simon’s recovery due to the extent of his brain injuries.
Upon learning of Simon’s passing on June 8, the cycling community and the general public expressed shock and sadness. St. George MP Algernon Watts, a former cyclist and club official, described the news as a devastating blow.
Watts praised Simon as an exceptional individual who represented the sport, his friends, and his family with dignity.
While Watts empathizes with Simon’s loved ones and the cycling community, he acknowledges that the rider’s physical suffering has come to an end.
Watts also reflects on his role in assisting Simon’s return to cycling, adding to his personal grief.
Even those who did not know Simon personally were deeply affected by the news, given the nation’s collective hope for his recovery and the tremendous effort his family invested in his treatment.
Three other cyclists involved in the accident sustained injuries but were treated and discharged from the hospital.
The driver responsible for the collision had initially been arrested and charged with dangerous driving, but with Simon’s passing, the charge is expected to be upgraded to causing death by dangerous driving.
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Condolences again to the Simon family. I know the Serpent knows what its like to ride a bike on these roads. Hope he will join with others in pressing government to make the roads safer for all users. One push I would suggest its time we start utilizing smart cameras to help with the policing. Too many times I have experienced drivers over taking cyclist at a stop sign, over a speed bump, overtaking then suddenly stop, overtaking in the same lane when there is another lane, Driving close to person’s cycling… Interestingly more times than not the car involves is a Vitz
We did not give him the supreme care that he needed. The government could not find money to look after him well as a national athlete. The nations money is not for nationals. It is for buying comrades’ cinema, and super yachts and paying entertainers for one nation concerts.
Had we done the right things from the start he might still be alive with us today. I am so angry.
Our priorities are wrong. The people should always be first.
We failed you, Andre. Gone but not forgotten.
Y’all really sickening now with the blame government crap. I don’t support this presentation government in anyway shape or form but this is beyond stupid now. I’m really sorry Andre passed away and my heart goes out to his family. He fought a hard fight for 13 months and the father in heaven saw it fit to end his suffering.
But here we are again with the blame game. Do u know that because of the swelling in his brain they could not move him. Did u know that they had to wait till he was fit for travel to get him relocated. Are u a medical professional or are u just a just a keyboard warrior who love to blame government for everything. Sometimes we need to leave politics out of certain aspects of life.
Again condolences to the family.
@ SMDH
ok Birdie
go figure who you and the dog and sheet use to blame during 2004 and 2014
HYPOCRITE…..MEK PEOPLE TALK AS DEM LIKE
Do u feel better about urself now. What a sad person u must be to attack some who does not share ur blinded twisted political option. As someone don’t sing and dance to y’all red/blue song here comes the defenders who the politician could not give 2fs about. Why don’t u go do something useful with ur life instead of being on here and trying (and failing miserably) to insult ppl for their opinion.
@SMDH so true. Anyway lets focus on how we can make things better, in his memory? Help ensure what happened never happens again because next time it could be worse. Tend to hang with cyclist and that’s the focus, ie how to make the roads safer for all road users
Condolences are in order! No doubt! The fact of the matter is, the ‘will of the flesh(body),’ in this case is stronger, than the ‘will of the spirit!’
As, the references are made, to the unsafe road conditions for bicyclists, and pedestrians too, on the Nation’s roadways, it’s evident, that the #Planners and stewards, of the Nation are failing miserably, at putting in the proper, well planned #INFRASTRUCTURE, to accommodate a fast growing Nation(people and vehicles).
A…most roads being built MUST incorporate into its design/build/maintenance…
(i)…sidewalks/curbs/drainage which are directed to swale ponds and, or natural ponds for water management and conservation! Bear in mind, the Nation #water_woes!
B…Designated bicycle lanes with proper signage/demarcation to coincide with the traffic(pedestrian/motorized).
(ii)…Crosswalks MUST be visible and demarcated as well.
C…In areas like St. John’s where there are ONE WAY STREETS, narrow streets etc these streets MUST be properly designed designated and demarcated, once again to indicate directional flow! In the case where there is but few feet on the side of some roads to accommodate vehicular and pedestrians, EMINENT DOMAIN must be used, to advance the positive nature, of the Nation’s future.
#NEXT_LEVEL LIVING, requires #NEXT_LEVEL thinking not false hope, pretense!
Ras Smood aka Jumbee_Picknee
De ‘ole Dutty Peg🦶🏿Garrat_Bastard
Vere C. Edwards
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