Injured Australian cyclist Paul Crake has been transferred from the Christchurch hospital, where he underwent surgery mid-last week to help stabilise his spinal injuries, to the Spinal Unit of the Burwood Hospital in Christchurch, New Zealand. The 29-year-old will remain at Burwood Hospital until he is cleared by doctors to return to Australia where he will commence an extensive rehabilitation program.
Crake, a cycling medallist and stair climbing champion, suffered the injuries during November's Tour of Southland in New Zealand. The rider was one of five people blown from their bikes in gusty conditions during the final kilometres of the eighth stage. While the other riders escaped serious injury, Crake hit his back on a fence post leaving the Canberra based rider paralysed with minor fractures to the C1 and C2 cervical vertebrae, a fracture to the T5 thoracic vertebrae and dislocations from T5 down to T7.
