Lewis Fletcher’s Remarkable Return to Cycling After Near-Fatal Crash

Just eighteen months after a devastating BMX crash left him in a coma and battling severe brain injuries, Lewis Fletcher is competing at the British National Track Championships. His story is one of incredible resilience, determination, and the healing power of sport.

The Crash and Initial Recovery

The incident occurred during a pump track session in Gravesend on a September evening. According to his father, Simon Fletcher, the crash was sudden and violent. “It was like somebody had shot him,” Simon described, recalling the sound of the bike’s fork snapping and the sight of his son’s limp body hitting the ground at 45kph.

Emergency services quickly arrived, and Lewis was immediately placed into an induced coma at the scene. He remained unconscious for three days and spent two weeks in intensive care. Initial scans revealed two brain bleeds, but further examination uncovered a total of four.

The Long Road to Rehabilitation

Lewis has no memory of the crash or the six months that followed. The injuries impacted his language and emotional processing abilities. “The parts [of my brain that I damaged], were [responsible for] language and emotions,” he explained. He experienced speech difficulties, sometimes substituting words unintentionally, and struggled with depression. Speech and language therapy became a crucial part of his recovery.

Four months after the crash, Lewis began to return to school, but faced challenges due to memory loss and had to relearn course material. He was also temporarily banned from driving for eight months, a restriction he found particularly frustrating.

Finding Solace and Strength on the Bike

Despite the obstacles, Lewis found that returning to cycling was instrumental in his recovery. “That’s what saved me,” he stated. “I was really, really struggling, then I got on a bike, and I felt back to normal. It’s so hard to explain. I didn’t have emotion, I didn’t perceive happy, didn’t feel sad, I was just blunt, so blunt. I got on a bike, and I actually started smiling again.”

Transitioning from BMX to track cycling, Lewis began training with coach Chris Pyatt. Within seven months, he improved his 200m flying lap time from 11.3 seconds to 10.3 seconds.

Looking Ahead: Dreams of Representing Great Britain

Lewis is now a scholarship student at the University of Derby, studying sport therapy and rehabilitation while continuing his training. Despite facing setbacks with his A-Levels due to his injuries, the university recognized his exceptional circumstances and offered him a place.

His ultimate goal is to represent Great Britain. Inspired by cyclists like Sir Chris Hoy and Harrie Lavreysen, who also transitioned from BMX to track sprinting, Lewis is determined to pursue his dream. “I want to be on GB. That’s my goal,” he said.

Reflecting on his journey, Lewis expressed gratitude for being alive and a commitment to making the most of his future. “I nearly died, so I’m lucky I’m still here. In the next three years, if someone says I’m going to die, I want to be happy. I’m not taking anything for granted.”