31-07-2013 - Rider Down, Huddersfield (Yorkshire)

John Radford, CTC Councillor for Yorkshire & The Humber was involved in a collision on Wednesday 31 July.
He had abandoned the LEL ride earlier in the week and the collision occurred close to his home.
Two people have been arrested.
John is critically ill with head injuries in the Intensive Care Unit at the LGI in Leeds.
http://www.examiner.co.uk/news/west-yorkshire-news/cyclist-injured-accident-huddersfield-road-5390477
Our thoughts are with John and his family.

That article really is lacking any details. Hope he fights back to full health.

It's a very early article. Later news (from his daughter via CTC Forum) is that he has a chest infection and brain injury. It is alleged that the collision was deliberate.

Yeah, sounds mental. I hope the perps get screwed hard but more importantly he makes it through this.

I understand he's in theatre right now...

It's a very early article. Later news (from his daughter via CTC Forum) is that he has a chest infection and brain injury. It is alleged that the collision was deliberate.

What!!!

This is horrendous... Don't expect this sort of thing happening in my home town.

What!!!

From his daughter Emma via CTC Forum and Facebook:
i would just like to say a huge thank you for all the best wishes and prays that are being said for my dad john radford, this is certainly the toughest journey he will ever go on, he is struggling to say the least, yesterday we were told that the journey got tougher as he now has a chest infection, anti biotics will hopefully address this. My dad is so poorly and as a family we are feeling very desperate, we saw west yorkshire Air Ambulance land again at LGI lastnight which made me realise how we take certain things for granted, the service treated my dad and apparently he had one of the best Doctors travelling with him from New Mill to Leeds, on arrival he had already been ventilated and his condition and treatment were already being voiced to the staff in A and E meaning his scan and treatment could start as soon as he arrived, i can not thank the staff enough for their hard work.
The police are heavily involved with my dads accident and did make two arrests as unfortunatly their is a witness to say that the accident was not actually an accident and that the driver drove into him on purpose which i feel extreamly angry about and deeply saddened.
thanks again and i will up date when possible
emma

Oh God, I hope John makes it through. Complications are the last thing he needs now.

Thoughts and best wishes with the family.

best wishes to Mr Radford, hoping you recover fully.

There's a solidarity ride on Wednesday. This was posted on Facebook:

<<
Cyclists from the area are asked to join a social ride on Wednesday evening to show support for a local rider injured a week ago
John Radford, 69, of Meltham is a well known figure in the cycling community organising many events ( such as The Examiner’s annual charity cycle ride), working locally and nationally as a CTC Councillor, and organising and taking part in many events himself
John was hit by a car in New Mill last Wednesday. He had returned from taking part in the marathon London-Edinburgh-London ride on Monday evening and his solo ride on Wednesday was a steady cycle for fun.
John is currently in a serious condition in Leeds General Infirmary following the incident and police have arrested the driver and occupants of the car which hit him.
The 6.5 mile ride which will leave St George’s Square , Huddersfield at 6pm , under the name Justice for John is a way of friends and fellow cyclists showing support and solidarity for John and his family.
The ride will be led by Johns daughters Emma and Helen and a collection will be taken in Support of the Yorkshire Air Ambulance who airlifted John to hospital
If you need further details please contact martyn Bolt martyn.bolt@kirklees.gov.uk >>

Latest from the Huddersfield Examiner: http://www.examiner.co.uk/news/west-yorkshire-news/huddersfield-cycling-champion-john-radford-5638857

... not actually an accident ... the driver drove into him on purpose ...

FFS. Choking on my tea right now.

Please keep updating this thread.

My thoughts are with you and your family and especially wishing your dad a speedy recovery.

Following over a year of care and treatment the decision was recently made in conjunction with the family to withdraw any further rehabilitative efforts and transfer John to palliative care.

John returned home with his family and passed away yesterday morning at 01.20am.

The court hearing had already taken place and the driver was convicted of causing injury by dangerous driving by Crown Court. Sentencing is still due and he faces a maximum sentence of five years imprisonment.

RIP John. You were a true gentleman, a Yorkshireman throughout and an inspiration to many.
We will always miss you.

Very sad news.

Funeral details, as posted on Facebook by family:
JOHN RADFORDS FUNERAL
We would like to thank you all for the kind words you have written about our amazing dad.
The Funeral will take place at Christ Church Helme (near to Meltham) on 19th November at 12 noon.
The service will be a celebration of dads life, and we want lots of smiles!
Cycling was my dads life and I am sure that he would appreciate an array of cycling jerseys in the church to highlight this. Some of you may want to arrive by bike which we also welcome!
We have asked that only family send flowers, a collection at the service will be split between Helme church and Street Bikes CIC.
We hope that you can join us
Emma, Helen and pat.....xx

I don't want to suggest anything that would hijack the family's wishes, but if you were to set up a Justgiving page or some such for streetbikes cic in his honour I know I'd put in a few quid.

This is absolutely devastating. My thoughts go out to the family.