Wildwood Crest Mayor Don Cabrera, who likes to compete in Ironman events, was felled by a pothole on the bicycling course of the three-event race in Wilmington, North Carolina, on Saturday, Oct. 19, suffering a broken right shoulder, broken humerus and two right pelvis fractures.
Cabrera posted a photo of himself in a hospital bed in North Carolina after taking the spill during the Ironman 70.3 North Carolina. The mayor said he felt he had a strong 2.4-mile swim, and the bicycle portion was going well until, at the 41-mile mark of the 112-mile bike portion of the race, he hit a pothole at about 23 mph.
He lost control of the bike and landed on the asphalt in the oncoming traffic lane.
“My Ironman 70.3 North Carolina journey was cut short, but my spirit remains unbroken!” Cabrera posted on his Facebook page. “I’m grateful for the outpouring of support and concern. Despite injuries … I’m choosing to focus on the good.”
The mayor expressed his appreciation for the help he received on the course, including medical assistance.
Cabrera, who was scheduled to travel back to New Jersey on Monday, Oct. 21, said he was preparing for a long recovery. On Sunday, he said he was waiting for the orthopedic trauma team to decide whether he needed surgeries.
As of 4 p.m. on Monday, Oct. 21, Cabrera had received 361 comments wishing him well via Facebook.
Contact the reporter, Christopher South, at csouth@cmcherald.com or 609-886-8600, ext. 128.
