Cyclist who crashed on steep Vancouver hill wants to thank the strangers who cared for him
When long-time cyclist Jeff L. Lieberman decided to spend the summer visiting family in Vancouver, he likely didn’t expect a bike accident, an ambulance ride and then a search to find the people who saved his life.
Last Sunday, Lieberman was riding a spare family bike from his sister’s house in Mount Pleasant to his parents’ place near Jericho Beach, when a brake cable snapped as he rode down a steep hill.
It sent him flying off the seat.
“Based on my injuries, I landed on the right side of my face, and definitely hit my head,” he said.
He also broke his nose and a finger, and was badly scraped. Later that evening at the hospital, he was diagnosed with a mild concussion – even though he’d been wearing a helmet.
One week later, Lieberman’s stitches are out, and he’s slowly recovering.
He’s also trying to track down the people who helped him, but his memory of the crash and the aftermath is hazy.
“I have spotty memory of what was going on,” he said. “I was really unclear as to what city I was in and what year it was, (and) why was I in Vancouver? How long had I been here?”
What Lieberman is certain of is that the accident happened on Sept. 5, around 5:25 p.m. on a steep section of Laurel Street, between 8th and 7th Avenues. Three strangers tended to him, provided care for his cuts, called 911 and stayed with him while they waited a half hour for an ambulance.
“I feel like they saved my life, essentially,” he said.
“I don't want them to feel like that was not recognized or that it was forsaken in any way because it was extremely important to me.”
“I'm having trouble processing everything that happened and I feel somewhat sad or guilty that I haven't, you know, recognized them in some way.”
The people also helped him locate his cell phone and encouraged him to call a family member.
“I called my sister and she happens to be an ER nurse at VGH. She wasn't working that day but I just came from her house and she basically said, ‘Hold on I'm getting in the car and coming there.’”
But, likely focused on her brother’s wellbeing, Lieberman’s sister also didn’t manage to get the contact information for those who helped.
Lieberman, a filmmaker who lives in New York, said he thinks that one of the people was a male firefighter. The other two were women, and all three appeared to be white.
“It's nice to be reminded that there's humanity in the world and that people are generous. You know, we live in such divided times, even in Vancouver, that it's nice to see people helping,” he said.
In his efforts to find them, Lieberman put up a sign at the site of the accident, in which he described the incident and posted his contact information. He also shared some of his story on Twitter and Instagram. But, he still hasn’t heard from his heroes.
“I'm sure whatever they witnessed was traumatic. So maybe this would help them close that chapter as well,” he said.
“'I’m sure they didn't really want to, like, interrupt their day for 45 minutes with a bleeding person, a stranger, but yeah, they did. And it was really kind and generous of them.”
Did you help Jeff L. Lieberman? Contact him at jeff@re-emergingfilms.com
Correction
The name of the cyclist in this story has been corrected. It's Jeff L. Lieberman, not Phil L. Lieberman.
CTVNews.ca Top Stories
Canadian gov't proposes new foreign influence registry as part of wide-spanning new bill
Prime Minister Justin Trudeau's government is proposing a suite of new measures and law changes aimed at countering foreign interference in Canada, amid extensive scrutiny over past meddling attempts and an ever-evolving threat landscape.
Boeing Starliner capsule's first crewed test flight postponed
The long-awaited first crewed test flight of Boeing's new Starliner space capsule was called off for at least 24 hours over a technical issue that launch teams were unable to resolve in time for the planned Monday night lift-off.
Teacher charged in historical sexual assault of Calgary teenage girl
Calgary police have charged a teacher with the alleged sexual assault of a teenage girl more than 20 years ago.
Winnipeg man admits to killing four women, argues he's not criminally responsible
Defence lawyers of Jeremy Skibicki have admitted in court the accused killed four Indigenous women, but argues he is not criminally responsible for the deaths by way of mental disorder – this latest development has triggered a judge-alone trial rather than a jury trial.
Man banned from owning animals after fatal Calgary dog attack
The owner of three Calgary dogs that got loose and mauled a woman to death in 2022 has been ordered to pay a $15,000 fine within one year and banned from owning any animal for 15 years.
East-end Ottawa family dealing with massive rat infestation
Residents in Ottawa’s Elmridge Gardens complex are dealing with a rat infestation that just won’t go away. Now, after doing everything they can to try to fix the issue, they are pleading with the city to step in and help.
Mediterranean staple may lower your risk of death from dementia, study finds
A daily spoonful of olive oil could lower your risk of dying from dementia, according to a new study by Harvard scientists.
An El Nino-less summer is coming. Here's what that could mean for Canada
As Canadians brace themselves for summer temperatures, forecasters say a weakening El Nino cycle doesn’t mean relief from the heat.
Newfoundland and Labrador latest province to tighten rules on Airbnbs
Newfoundland and Labrador is the latest jurisdiction to bring in stricter rules for short-term rentals, with a coming set of regulations that will force operators to register with the provincial government.