Murray Kennedy-MacNeill’s faith in humanity has been reaffirmed.
Kennedy-MacNeill can often be seen pedalling his motor-assist custom cycle around town. Being “somewhat disabled,” the bike gives Kennedy-MacNeill a level of mobility he could not otherwise enjoy.
On Tuesday, Nov. 4, he was cycling across the 17 Street Bridge and he tipped his bike at the west end of the crossing.
“I had just come off the bridge and I hit a bump or something,” Kennedy-MacNeill explained. “Somehow, I tipped my bike over and before I knew it I was in the bushes, under the bike, and I was really stuck.”
Queue Marty, from Courtenay Glass.
“He saw what happened, and pulled off the road and got me out of under the bike, got me up, got the bike back upright and made sure I was OK,” said Kennedy-MacNeill. “I am slightly disabled so I wouldn’t have been able to get up on my own, and he helped me, put me right-side up, got me going and on my way. I am just so grateful there are people like him in our community.”
The Record reached out to Marty but he declined an interview.
Kennedy-MacNeill said this isn’t the first time the community has come to his aid. He’s had spills on his bike before and people are always quick to help in any way they can. Even the bike itself was from a friend.
“It was a friend from church - Wendy Prothero - it was her husband’s bike and she gave it to me,” said Kennedy-MacNeill.
“People have always really taken care of me - it’s wonderful.”