Buckinghamshire cyclist: "My turban saved my life"

Turbans can reduce the risk of serious head injuries, research has found, after a Sikh cyclist said wearing one saved his life in a collision.

Jagdeep Singh, from Buckinghamshire, came off his bike on a wet road and slid underneath an oncoming car.

The 44-year-old suffered a serious leg injury but said his turban prevented a head wound as it "absorbed the impact".

Scientists at Imperial College London found turbans can potentially reduce the possibility of skull fractures.

Using crash test dummy heads, the researchers experimented with five different turbans, distinguished by two wrapping styles and two different fabrics with size variations.

They then compared their findings with conventional cycle helmets and with bare heads and found the style and thickness of turbans does affect the risk of serious head injury.

While some turbans are not always as effective, extra fabric can offer "superior" protection in some cases.

In 2019, Mr Singh had attempted to brake sharply on a wet road when his back wheel skidded and sent him to the ground towards an oncoming car.

Recalling the accident Mr Singh said: "As I slid underneath the car, my right leg banged into the car bumper causing a very serious injury.

"My head also scraped along the ground for a short distance before I collided with the car. I'm sure if I had not been wearing my turban then I would have ended up with a serious head injury."

Mr Singh said after the incident that the back of his turban was covered in mud but it had not torn.

"My turban saved my life and I'm still enjoying cycling today," he added.

Lead author Dr Mazdak Ghajari, from Imperial's Dyson School of Design Engineering, said: "This project was a great opportunity for us to apply our expertise to empower Sikhs to protect themselves from head injury."

Co-author Dr Gurpreet Singh, from Imperial's Department of Materials and the Sikh Scientists Network, said that due to a lack of research into advanced fabrics "Sikhs currently face varying degrees of risk".

He explained: "Very little has been done to scientifically empower Sikhs to continue practising their faith with advanced, protective materials that are in line with their religious requirements."

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