Motorist plea after bike tragedy

Published by Matt Polaine | Filed under Bicycle, Cycling

credit: bbc news

Welsh Secretary Peter Hain has urged motorists to take care near bicycles as he visited the site of a car accident where four cyclists were killed. Mr Hain said he hoped everyone would learn lessons from the tragedy in which four Rhyl Cycling Club members died.

He asked drivers to “show respect for cyclists and give them room to go about their pursuits in safety.”

Mr Hain, who also met club members, has asked for a full report into the tragedy near Abergele on 8 January.

The funerals have been held this week of Thomas Harland, 14, Maurice Broadbent, 61, Dave Horrocks, 55, and Wayne Wilkes, 42, who died after a car skidded on ice on the A547 as they were on a Sunday morning ride.

Mr Hain said the report would take some time to prepare, but he had been briefed by police and he was “satisfied that no stone has been left unturned”

“This is an extremely comprehensive criminal investigation to make sure we get to the bottom of this appalling accident,” he said.

“I will be looking to get this report in due course, then for us all to learn lessons to make sure cyclists can also learn lessons for the future and continue doing what they enjoy.

“I also call on motorists across the country who have been left appalled at this incident to show respect for cyclists and give them room to go about their pursuits in safety.”

More than 100 bouquets have been left at the scene of the accident.

‘Reeling from shock’

Mr Hain said: “The cycle club is still reeling from the shock of this appalling incident.

“I met some of the relatives of those who died and they want to get to the truth, continue to cycle in safety and learn lessons, the same as everyone else.

“This is the worst road accident involving cyclists in the history of the sport and being here is very moving.

“Seeing the wreaths and talking to the relatives has re-doubled my determination to get to the bottom of this and to make sure lessons are learnt.”

Police have said the driver of the car which hit the cyclists was neither drunk nor speeding.

Following the accident it emerged that another car had skidded on ice and crashed into a telegraph pole on the same road just one hour before the cyclists were killed.

The visit was arranged by the Vale of Clwyd MP Chris Ruane. All four victims were from his constituency.

Mr Ruane said: “We need to make sure the report is as thorough as possible and see if any procedures need to be tightened”.

On Wednesday at prime minister’s questions in the Commons, Tony Blair expressed his condolences to the families of the victims in response to a question from Mr Ruane.

Mr Blair also said lessons had to be learnt from the accident.

Last week, inquests into the deaths of the four cyclists were opened and adjourned by the north east Wales coroner.

When the funeral was held on Wednesday of Maurice Broadbent, the chairman of the club, many of the mourners arrived on their bikes.