Germany tomorrow for a crucial kidney operation.

The 18-year-old suffered internal bleeding as well as breaking his arm, ribs, and pelvis in the accident in Smith's.

His spleen was removed, and now it is feared he may lose his kidney.

As doctors fought to save his life, his father flew over from the family's home town in Germany.

He is likely to accompany his son back to Germany tomorrow.

Mr. Hubertus Ordyniec's nightmare began three days after arriving in Bermuda as part of a students' exchange group.

He was riding a cycle north on Verdmont Road, near Middle Road, when he collided with a car.

Police said the driver sped off after the accident, which occurred around 1.30 a.m. last Thursday.

The driver later answered an appeal for him to come forward.

Doctors at King Edward VII Memorial Hospital performed an emergency operation on the teenager.

At one stage it was thought he may lose his life from the internal bleeding.

But his condition later improved and he was moved from intensive care to a general ward, where he was listed as "stable'' yesterday.

Mr. Ordyniec was among a group of around 20 students from Germany on a three-week visit to Bermuda.

They flew over as part of the Kompass Sprachreisen exchange group.

The group aims to introduce 15 to 19-year-olds to different languages and cultures.

Yesterday Mr. Paul Ross, the group's local representative, said he was confident Mr. Ordyniec would now pull through.

"The doctors were worried, and it was pretty scary, but I believe he is on the mend now.

"He has been visited by the group leader and some other students, so he has been well supported.

"His father has also seen him, and so has his cousin who is on the exchange trip. I hope to see him myself tomorrow.

"It is quite understandable that his father should want him to be treated in Germany, back with his family.'' Mr. Ross said Mr. Ordyniec was cycling home after a visit to Hamilton when the collision occurred.

"It's a very unfortunate thing to have happened, but just one of those things. We wouldn't cancel the trip for the other students.'' Mr. Ross said the students' visit here involved classes from Monday to Thursday, followed by afternoon activities.

These included snorkelling, a visit to the Premier the Hon. Sir John Swan, and a trip to Nonsuch Island.