Press release from Rowing Canada Aviron, on December 3rd 2004
Canadian rower Tom Herschmiller, Athens 2004 Olympic Silver Medallist, is recovering from a motorcycle accident that occurred yesterday in Colorado City, Texas, where he and teammate Ben Rutledge were enjoying a two-month motorcycle tour of the USA.
Herschmiller, of Comox, BC, suffered three chipped vertebrae in his neck as a result of the accident. He has no nerve or arterial damage, will be fitted with a neck brace and is expected to make a full recovery, according to Rutledge, a member of the Men's Heavyweight Eights crew from Duncan, BC.
"Tom was entering an intersection when an approaching car turned left in front of him," Rutledge said. "He tried to avoid the accident but his bike went into a skid and his head hit the bumper of the car as he went down."
Herschmiller is a member of the Men's Heavyweight Fours rowing crew that brought home silver from the Athens Olympics this summer. He and Rutledge are working on getting themselves, and their bikes, back to Vancouver Island before Christmas.
"On behalf of Rowing Canada I would like to wish Tom a speedy recovery," said John Carmichael, Rowing Canada president. "Tom is a great athlete and represents our sport extremely well - our thoughts are with him, and his family, at this time."