A cyclist who was nearly killed in a horrific hit and run crash with life-threatening injuries summits Kilimanjaro just 15 months later.

Speaker, Author and Athlete Jean-Pierre De Villiers was struck down by a drunk driver in North Devon last year while cycling to raise money for The Brain Tumour Charity. The collision happened just two days before the 10-day challenge was completed. The car hit Mr De Villiers with such force he went over the car and got wedged in between a tree and the barrier at the side of the road with his bike shattered into pieces. Jean-Pierre was luckily found by a driver who saw bike fragments scattered across the road then heard screams. JP, as he is known, was flown to hospital by the Devon Air ambulance where he remained in intensive care for several weeks with multiple bone breaks to his legs and arms as well as a punctured lung, bowel and heart trauma. Doctors said had he not been so fit he was unlikely to have survived such an impact.

Divine intervention

Despite the crash happening in rural Devon, the first three cars that came across the scene were fortuitously able to assist. The first car that drove by was an off duty paramedic, the second an off duty police officer who was able to secure the road and the third was a member of the local RNLI who was able to give Mr De Villiers Oxygen, which he kept in his car. It was clearly not meant to be his time!

Overcoming the odds

Less than 15 months later, JP has overcome the odds of a full physical recovery and is currently summiting Mount Kilimanjaro, while raising money for charity. Doctors have called his swift recovery nothing short of miraculous.

According to JP, he’s has been on quite a journey during the last 15 months and is still dealing with daily pain and various issues related to the trauma including PTSD. It’s clearly had a huge psychological impact, but now more than ever JP says he wants to do what he can to support others with mental health issues, proving that you can get over huge challenges with the right mindset and attitude. Since the accident, JP has also completed a marathon raising money for the Devon Air Ambulance who saved his life and continues to inspire his followers on social media with his dedication to daily progress.

Support

Members of his coaching community have been so inspired by his progress and bravery they have supported JP through his climb by undertaking fitness challenges of their own, which match the elevation of Kilimajaro. Some are running 10k a day throughout October, some are doing virtual mountain climbers and others are climbing staircases at home 80 times a day!

Speaking about JP, his wife said, “JP has received so much support since the accident because he does so much work for charity and he’s always helping people. He’s had thousands of messages, people telling me stories of how he has had a positive effect on them. I found a message on Facebook from a guy saying that during the cycling challenge, JP had stopped to help him fix his car when he broke down, that’s the kind of man he is.”

Healing

The driver who almost killed JP was over the limit and subsequently disqualified following the accident, but JP’s story is one of forgiveness, resilience and what you can do with a strong positive mindset and a will to overcome. One of the first things JP said when he woke up in the hospital was that he couldn’t wait to ‘get back on his bike’. Mentally planning his next challenges while bed-bound was what got him through it.

Since the accident JP has immersed himself in all kinds of healing modalities including living with Buddhist Monks in a monastery, 18 days of silent meditation, natural medicinal therapies, breathing therapies and working with Dr Jo Dispenza. He is also 100% plant based and advocates for leading a healthy balanced lifestyle.

JP openly shares the practices that helped him push through his fears and make the incredible recovery that he has via his social media channels, talks and in his latest Amazon best-selling book ”Spiritual Fitness’ an essential guide to developing Mind, Body and Heart.

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