Top Kiwi cyclist roused from induced coma after being hit by motorist

New Zealand semi-pro cyclist Alexander Ray has been roused from the induced coma he has been in since being hit by a car in Auckland on Wednesday.

Stuff.co.nz reports that the Team McDonalds Down Under rider was taken to Auckland City Hospital after a collision at the junction of Morningside Drive and New North Road around 6am.

The city’s Serious Crash Unit is investigating.

Ray suffered extensive injuries, including a collapsed lung, 28 breaks in his ribs, a broken clavicle and scapula, a fracture in his jaw and deep cuts to his face and neck.

An MRI scan revealed no damage to his spinal cord or surrounding nerves, but it is not yet known whether he may have suffered a traumatic brain injury.

He underwent surgery on Thursday to repair the jaw fracture, open his airway and begin facial reconstruction.

He has now been roused from an induced coma and is showing signs of movement, but is not yet totally conscious.

Close friend and fellow cyclist, Roman van Uden, said: "As of Wednesday, he hasn't communicated, occasionally he opens his eyes and responds to pain when nurses clean wounds by raising an arm but that is all. There has been no verbal communication yet."

Ray has previously been in a life-threatening condition in 2016 after developing leptospirosis, a condition which caused his liver and kidneys to fail.

"The doctor said it was probably three days from it being the end for me – so it is scary I suppose,” he said afterwards. “Being that sick was an experience, and almost humbling. I just appreciate being able to ride a lot more."

He was soon back on his bike.

"He's just obsessed with cycling,” said Van Uden. “You couldn't hold him back, he's stubborn."