Cyclist loses leg in alleged road rage attack

16 comments
By Rosee Woodland | Saturday, Nov 22, 2008 12.19pm

A cyclist in Toronto has had to have his leg amputated after a row with a cab driver allegedly turned nasty.

Police yesterday said the cyclist lost his leg after a cab reversed and pinned him to a utility pole.

It’s understood people heard arguing before the sound of a loud collision and then someone screaming for help as a vehicle sped off.

Police who rushed to the scene at found the man lying in a pool of blood, with his right leg barely attached. His $5,000 cycle was lying nearby in pieces.

The 36-year-old later had to have the leg amputated at a city hospital.

Toronto police Detective Constable Paul Strangways told local paper The Star the cyclist had "a very long road to recovery."

Strangways said. "He's still getting treatment for a fractured pelvis and eventually will have to learn to deal with a prosthetic."

The original call to police was followed three hours later by a call from a cab driver who said a cyclist had attempted to rob him at the scene.

However, after questioning the man for more than three hours, officers have since told local reporters that no robbery took place.

They linked a Beck taxi with damage to its rear trunk, bumper and tail light to the crash.

Police said in a news release that Sultan Ahmed, 38, of Maple has been charged with:

Criminal negligence causing bodily harm

Dangerous operation causing bodily harm

Fail to stop at scene of accident bodily harm

Obstruct peace officer

Aggravated assault

Assault with weapon

It is understood the alleged weapon described in the charge sheet is Ahmed’s taxi.

Sergeant Tim Burrows said told the Ottawa Citizen that Toronto police have charged motorists with using a vehicle as a weapon on previous occasions. "Common? Yes and no," he said. "We had a very similar case in 1995. It's not unheard of."

The incident happened on November 14, but because the cyclist had to undergo three operations and was heavily sedated, it was some time before police could get a clear picture of what happened.

Ahmed was due to appear in court today.

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User Comments

There are 16 comments on this post

Showing 1 - 16 of 16 comments

  • cabies are stupid tw*ts the world over.

  • Not content with cutting the cyclist's leg off, the coward cabbie then tried to protect himself by claiming he'd been the victim. What a pathetic excuse for a human being!

    Mini-cab drivers, closely followed by bus drivers....the cyclist's worst enemy.

  • god that amed twat is an absolute idiot

  • "Common? Yes and no"

    Hmm, maybe that police officer should try commuting sometime.

  • strange time to be cycling 2.30am

  • he can still ride wid 1 leg

  • I'M NOT SURE WHATS MORE DISTURBING THE FREAKING MORON CAB DRIVER OR THE BLOODY STUPID COMMENT FROM KONAKULAKID.

    YES HE CAN RIDE WITH ONE LEG BUT, I`M NO EXPERT ON THESE MATTERS, I`M SURE THATS NOT THE POINT OF THIS PIECE. FOOL

  • Just last week I saw a car really try to run a cyclist down at a set of lights because when the car cut him off, he swiped the side of their car. Luckily the guy hopped the curb and rode off. I reported the plate but diddn't hear back from the police.

    No matter what these asshole drivers do, the most important to remember is that they're armed with a one tonne weapon and the most we have is a heavy U-lock/Chain- it's not worth getting into a fight over.

    No matter who caused the fight, violence in this manner is not called for. I hope Ahmed gets what's due and the rider heals and rehabs as best he and his family can.

  • London can tried to ram me recently. He didn't think for one second that it was something of a mismatched contest.

  • Happens so often - not sure whther it annoys me more when it's deliberate or just the old "sorry I didn't notice you"'s. Wouldn't consider cycling on road now without decent bike insurance.

  • Horrible incident.

    You cant tar all cabbies with the same brush though - thats as stupid as saying all cyclists ride thru red lights. Hope the driver gets put away.

  • The lesson on this story is: Choose your battles wisely. Regardless of what may have happened, especially at 2:30 am, if all conditions state you are not going to gain anything out of it then just let it go...

    IF, as there is always an IF for all situations, he would just brush it off and kep on and forget about it he would still have both legs. Then again I would not married my present wife, lol.

  • psiturbo you don`t know al the facts,maybe the cyclist tried to brush it off.Taxi drivers are undoubtedly the cyclist`s worst enemy and seem to hate cyclists.I agree though,never argue with a vehicle,it`s not worth it,at best it spoils your ride.

  • The problem with us cyclists, is that we are nervous in the extreme, as we dodge cars etc. This nervouness expresses itself as extreme reactions in the form of expressions, hand signals, volcalising which generally seem excessive to the car driver who is not as nervous due to the comparative safety of the car. The cyclist is then seen as overreacting to the situation as seen through the cyclist's side of the prism.The car driver in any or most situations, is loathe to leave the safety of his cocoon, preferring to use the car as a means of response, this can be the use of the horn, near miss, or deliberate contact with the cyclist using the car. The driver fails to appreaciate the unevenness of the contest which from his side of the prism is merely a show of heirachy in the situation. From the cyclist standpoint it is matter of actual life and death or at least serious injury.It comes down to reality, the cyclist reality is more real than the car reality. Drivers just don't understand how dangerous they are.

  • WTF is this world coming too!

    I have been hit by a cabbie and some are concerned with your safety others just stare, saying that it's your own fault for riding a bike.

  • I once vented my road rage at a cabbie in London, who had just pulled alongside me and then while beeping his horn he swerved into my lane forcing me to brake to avoid being squashed between his cab and the railings on the pavement. I caught up with him and gave his car a few firm taps with my boot. He jumped out and then another cabbie also stopped and got out and they both grabbed hold of me. Eventually they let me go probably due to the pressure of the traffic held up behind us during rush hour. I guess they all 'look out' for each other. I've virtually given up road rage now after being chased on two other occasions. As someone said previously, not really worth getting into a fight when there is little to gain.

    I liked foxexpress's take on it. I agree, you probably come across better and with less chance of a pointless fight by just calmly asking the driver if they would mind giving you a little more space next time, or maybe just ironically shouting 'thank you' if there is no time for a chat. Staying calm is easier said than done though sometimes when you've just nearly been injured/murdered! If you can manage it though it's probably more likely to make the driver think about their behaviour.

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