Cyclist Fiona Kleintjes (23) cannot remember anything from her accident this week, but was told by emergency services who attended the crash that if she had not been wearing a helmet, she would have suffered a serious head injury.
The fourth-year University of Otago dentistry student was cycling her usual route from her Jeffrey St, Andersons Bay, home on Wednesday when her mountain bike slid and crashed on black ice on the corner of Every and Somerville Sts.
She landed on her head and lay unconscious on the pavement.
She awoke to find two men comforting her; they stayed with her until an ambulance arrived.
Ms Kleintjes was left with grazes to her left side, a sore shoulder and concussion, but she realises it could have been much worse.
"It's quite overwhelming. It could have been much more than missing a couple of classes. I'm very, very thankful New Zealand has rules where it is compulsory to wear a helmet."
The helmet now has a large crack down the inside and will be replaced.
