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Broken bike (CC licensed image by garryknight, www.flickr.com)Triathlete killed after hitting pothole – one of two cyclists killed near Rugby in a week
A cyclist has died following a collision with a car on the outskirts of Rugby on Friday morning. The man was the second cyclist fatality in the area in a week after 52-year-old triathlete Kate Vanloo was killed after being thrown from her bike after hitting a pothole in Napton on Sunday January 3.
The Rugby Observer reports that Friday’s incident took place at the junction of the A4071 and Lawford Road at around 8.20am.
A West Midlands Ambulance Service spokesman said: “Advanced life support was administered to the man who had suffered serious injuries. He was taken to University Hospital Coventry and Warwickshire which had been put on alert in anticipation of his arrival. Despite the collective best efforts of all involved, he was later confirmed dead at hospital.”
The victim has not yet been named.
In Sunday’s incident, which took place at around 10.45am, Vanloo is reported to have hit a water-filled pothole on Holt Road before being struck by a Toyota Yaris as she fell from her bike.
A West Midlands Ambulance Service spokesman said: “When crews arrived on the scene they discovered a cyclist lying in the road following a collision with a car. “Unfortunately, it quickly became apparent that due to the serious injuries suffered in the incident, nothing could be done to save the woman.”
Warwickshire Police are appealing for witnesses. If you have any information, you can contact police on 101 quoting incident number 82 of January 3.
The Coventry Telegraph reports that the pothole should have been filled before Christmas. Neil Adkins, who runs a campsite near the country lane, said: “Road closure signs went up last month, but then nothing happened. The incident was just a tragic accident. If it wasn’t for the pothole the lady would never have come off the bike, as I understand it. The car driver wasn’t to blame.”
Phil Scott, of Rugby Triathlon Group, said the pothole was filled within 48 hours of the incident.
“Kate was cycling towards home at the time with another club member who had parked her car out that way.
“Potholes are a major problem all over the country. Even though we are in a time of austerity, they need to be tackled. I don’t think that many motorists realise that if a cyclist moves out into the road they are not being difficult. They may well be trying to avoid a pothole.
“A friend from the club went up to look at the scene of the incident on Monday or Tuesday and saw workmen filling potholes in.”
Alex has written for more cricket publications than the rest of the road.cc team combined. Despite the apparent evidence of this picture, he doesn't especially like cake.
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10 comments
RIP, and condolences to the family.
This is why passing distances are important. In this case it may or may not have made a difference, but it must improve the chances of avoiding this sort of tradgedy from happening.
Should the government be held responsible? After all they're the ones forcing Councils to cut back on these services in the name of austerity.
Avoiding taking responsibility for the misery they create is the government's speciality.
“Road closure signs went up last month, but then nothing happened. The incident was just a tragic accident. If it wasn’t for the pothole the lady would never have come off the bike, as I understand it. The car driver wasn’t to blame.”
Is this guy really qualified to admonish the driver of any culpability? I'd imagine it was the collision with the car that killed her, not the pothole.
I wondered how long before somebody argued against that. Can't have somebody hit by a car when it wasn't the driver's fault, now can we?
Oh, and it's "absolve" of blame. "Admonish" means to tell somebody off...
'Yes' to your definition of admonish.
'No' to arguing about the car collision. Defensive, much? He's not arguing, is he? He's questioning whether the term 'accident' is relevant within this context from this source. Valid enough - or do you know that the car and driver behaviour weren't factors?
And no, ideally we wouldn't have people being hit (and fucking killed) by cars whether it is or isn't the driver's fault. Is it OK with you that this kind of shit is a regular occurrence?
But I wondered how long before a moton apologist turned up...
When I learnt to drive my instructor was very clear that I should be far enough away from a cyclist when overtaking that if they fell off I'd still miss them - by this standard the driver may well not be innocent. But god forbid we'd ever hold drivers to a sensible standard, they might have to slow down.
Very sad.
I make a point of avoiding, if possible, riding through puddles, after a 'near miss' with a hidden pothole. If anyone hasn't seen it yet, FixMyStreet is a good site for reporting potholes etc. Around here they get assessed fairly quickly.
For reference the coroners report mentions the whole width of the road was covered in water and due to oncoming vehicles the deceased was unable to avoid going through the water, basically lucky dip as to what was underneath.
https://road.cc/content/news/247057-worker-repaired-pothole-three-miles-...
Sad for all the families and friends. Particularly as the ladies death was avoidable.
Maybe the local council will deal with their portholes when the coroner tells them? I hope the family sue them too. Not because the money will help with their loss but because the only way to change big organisations is through financial pain.
Time to get on to my local MP, who ran his campaign with better roads as his top priority. Unsurprisingly nothing has improved.