4 cyclists hospitalized, several injured on causeway

KEY BISCAYNE, Fla. (WSVN) -- Several cyclists have been injured while riding on a causeway in Virginia Key.

The incident occurred Wednesday morning at 3979 Rickenbacker Causeway. Miami Fire Rescue said a pack of 60 cyclists were traveling eastbound in the bicycle lane, when some riders in the front collided with one another.

The crash caused a chain reaction and sent close to 30 riders off their bikes and on to the road. "Everybody got involved because of the speed. We were riding 30 mph or so, 35, and then the pavement was wet," said Frank Morejon, who avoided the collision. "Even when you stop, the bike is sliding and you still crash."

One cyclist sustained scrapes and scratches to his body and had his uniform ripped during the crash. "This is the big one right here and the little, right here and right here," said Mauricio Araya, as he pointed to his bandages.

Rescue crews transported three injured cyclists to Mercy Hospital and one to Jackson Memorial Hospital. The others were treated on scene for burns, cuts and abrasions.

No cars were involved in this incident.

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