Malaysian doctor fighting for life after fall in ravine during cycling trip

KUALA LUMPUR - A malaysian doctor working in Dublin, Ireland is fighting for his life due to severe head injuries after falling into a two-metre deep ravine during a cycling trip on Sunday.

Dr Zekri Hashim, 40, was cycling ahead of four other friends when he lost control of his bicycle near a bend while going downhill at Glendalough valley, located 60km from her during the 3.30pm (Dublin time) incident. (10.30pm Malaysia time)

Some Irish cyclists, who were passing by the area, witnessed the incident and helped to pull him out of the ravine. Dr Zekri's four friends, however, only knew about the incident later as they were cycling far behind him.

A spokesman of the Malaysian Embassy in Ireland when contacted yesterday said Dr Zekri suffered severe head injuries and was currently warded at the Intensive Care Unit (ICU) at St James Hospital, Dublin.

"He was airlifted by a helicopter to the hospital where he is reported to be in coma. His wife and the couple's two children are by his side waiting for him to regain consciousness."

The spokesman added that doctors were conducting more tests on Dr Zekri to ascertain the extent of his concussion and treating him for other injuries.

"Besides his head injury, doctors are saying that he sustained internal injuries as a result of the fall. He suffered bruises and other minor injuries to his face and other parts of his body."

Dr Zekri and his family have been residing in Dublin ever since he began serving as a doctor at one of the hospitals in the city.