An 81-year-old woman says she is grateful to be alive after she was knocked down by cyclists on a Whitstable road.

Elaine Jegede, from Greenhill, was rushed to hospital after University of Kent students on road bikes collided with her on Honey Hill, as she and an elderly relative crossed the road outside Meadow Grange Nursery.

Drivers who witnessed the shocking incident and helped at the scene were keen to track down Mrs Jegede - known only as Elaine - to make sure she was all right.

The grandmother-of-six told the Gazette she is now home from hospital and recovering from her injuries.

She said: “Because of my terrible pains I haven’t been able to get into bed.

“I’ve been sleeping in a chair, which has of course brought on other pains and problems.

“My collarbone was fractured, and the nurses say I’ve got handlebar bruises all over me.

“We were crossing to get the bus back into Whitstable. The road was completely clear, but they came around the corner and they were just coming down that Honey Hill.

“They were on us before we could blink an eye. They couldn’t stop.

“Four of them banged into me and landed on me.

“My dress and my coat had tyre marks all over - I was in agony.

“My head was bleeding a lot, my nose was bleeding - I was passing out. I looked a mess.

“But I didn’t lose my life. I just thank God that I’m alive.”

But Mrs Jegede says she has had no contact from the cyclists since the crash on March 20.

“I wouldn’t like this to happen to anybody else,” she said. “I hope they learn from this, and they do something to educate university cyclists about cycling safety.

“I am so thankful for the people at the scene of the accident - they were wonderful.

'I still can't walk properly, but I thank God I'm alive. It's a miracle' - Elaine Jegede

“I thank God for the two ladies that stopped their car and helped me.

“They showed concern and have since phoned me, which was very sweet of them.

“I am also thankful for the wonderful nursing I’m receiving, and for the people at Beacon Church who have been visiting me and bringing me food.

“I still can’t walk properly, but I thank God I’m alive. It’s a miracle.”

The Gazette approached Kent Union for a response to Mrs Jegede’s comments but was referred to a previous statement.

This had confirmed that members of Kent Cycling Club were involved in the collision, and that the club and union were co-operating with the police.

They added: “Those involved are sending their best wishes to the pedestrian.”

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