2013-01-15 - Rider Down/Fatality, B4361 (Near Leominster, Herefordshire)

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AN elderly cyclist has died following a collision with a car near Leominster.

The man, who is in his 80s, was cycling along the B4361 Hereford Road at 9.20am yesterday when the collision with a silver Ford Focus happened near the Brierley turning.

He was taken to the Queen Elizabeth Hospital in Birmingham by air ambulance, but died later in the evening.

Citation 1
Citation 2 (Police Appeal)

Not far from where I used to live, and at one time, a regular training road. Not busy, but that was part of the problem. People would go far too fast along there, so I stopped using it. Never felt safe.

RIP

Author killed as he cycled along country road by female driver who was dazzled by the winter sun
Geoffrey Blore, 82, wrote a popular account of his time as a WWII evacuee
Inquest heard Ford Focus driver Catherine Jones would not have seen him
Ms Jones was cautioned by police but no criminal charges were brought

Police cautioned Ms Jones, but brought no charges. She told them she had held up her hands to shield herself from the glare - which may have blocked her view of the pensioner.

http://www.dailymail.co.uk/news/article-2511334/Author-killed-cycled-country-road-female-driver-dazzled-winter-sun.html

Word's getting round, just say "The sun was in my eyes" and that's the end of it.

Driving more slowly in such adverse conditions is obviously no option.

^^

She told them she had held up her hands to shield herself from the glare

hands???? she used both hands??? who was driving??

what a ridiculous excuse. poor man rip rider

Driving more slowly in such adverse conditions is obviously no option.

Neither is using the car's sunscreen instead of your hand apparently.

So essentially "SMIDSY" is a valid defence in law?

Always had been, jury emphasised with drivers.

It would have been nice if it had got as far as a jury.