Cyclist recovering after being impaled on handlebar

File photo / Martin Sykes

Police have praised the courage of a woman cyclist who ended up impaled on her bike's handlebar yesterday.

The 41-year-old Havelock North victim is now recovering after undergoing surgery at Hawke's Bay Hospital.

Hastings police said that the woman was riding on Napier Rd, Havelock North, yesterday when a 4WD turned into her path.

It wasn't yet clear whether the impaling was the result of a collision or the cyclist swerving to avoid the vehicle.

Police Sergeant Clint Adamson said the cyclist handled the horror injury stoically.

"She handled it very well. Remarkably well, actually. She wasn't yelling, she was obviously in shock but there was certainly no screaming or anything from her."

- NZPA