Attempts made to conceal news related to cycling accident outside of Hanoi

November 21, 2014 | 15:24
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News about the accident on Sunday involving female Vietnamese cyclist Nguyen Thi Tha, who suffered four broken ribs, had a kidney bruised and removed, and a damaged liver, has been concealed by sports authorities.

Tha, who was taking part in a cycling event as part of the 2014 National Sports Festival and crashed in the northern province of Hoa Binh, is now in intensive care at Viet Duc Hospital in Hanoi.

The good news is that she is recovering from her critical condition, said her mother, Dang Thi Ut, in the hospital.

Tuoi Tre journalists visited the hospital yesterday to learn about the crash but were prevented from contacting Tha and her family, even though it was during the visiting hours from 12:00 to 1:00.

A representative of the General Department of Sports and Physical Training under the Ministry of Culture, Sports, and Tourism said local media has been banned from visiting Tha to ensure a sterile atmosphere.

The representative recommended that the media contact his General Department instead of visiting Tha and her family members who are now taking care of her in the hospital.

However, a representative of Viet Duc Hospital said the local media is not banned from visiting patients during visiting hours.

“It is fine for journalists to visit any patient as long as the patient agrees,” the representative added. “But the hospital has to respect the wish of sports authorities if they present a certain reason.”

Mistake made in protecting cyclists during tournament

Tha, of the provincial team from An Giang, and another competitor, Dang Huong Thao, of the Ho Chi Minh City team, fell off their bikes after hitting a pothole while cycling down Cun Mountain in Hoa Binh – just 10 km from their destination.

Tha lost a lot of blood in the accident, and five athletes with the same blood type as Tha from Hanoi were sent to give her a transfusion.

Thao, who suffered bruises all over her body, recalled the accident, “We were going down at a speed of around 60kph while trucks and cars were driving on our left side.

“It seemed that the truck drivers didn’t know that there was a cycling tournament because there was no vehicle protecting the cycling road.”

Thao added, “At a sharp bend in the road, Tha rode over a pothole, fell off her bike and rolled over many times before crashed into a vehicle. She lay there unconscious with her eyes opened wide.”

A coach who witnessed the accident said, “Vehicles were going in the opposite direction while the cycling event was taking place on the road.”

Roads used for cycling events in Vietnam are often protected by motorbikes, cars, and police with warning sirens to ensure safety for cyclists.

After the terrible accident, Tha was immediately rushed to the hospital and the General Department assigned a sports doctor to join the doctors at the facility to give her intensive care.

Her parents – Nguyen Van Hen and Dang Thi Ut – have been given free accommodation in Hanoi to care for their daughter since November 18.

Pham Van Tuan, vice head of the General Department, said after the accident that his agency has ensured treatment for the athlete but did not say why the event lacked adequate protection.

Tuoi Tre

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