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£1,000 raised for self-employed cyclist who was victim of hit and runSpeedie Gazelle (via GoFundMe)

£1,000 raised for self-employed cyclist who was victim of hit and run

Speedie Gazelle’s injuries mean he cannot work but he has no real chance of getting compensation
by Alex Bowden
Fri, Sep 27, 2019 15:48
8

Speedie Gazelle (his legal name) was the victim of a hit and run earlier this month. He was riding home from a new job near Kings Cross when a car pulled out of a side road.

“I hit the side of this car at full speed, probably 25 mph and have seriously damaged my upper body. The driver did not stop, the number plate was not recorded and the police have ceased investigations.”

Speedie suffered a broken left clavicle; a dislocated right clavicle; three broken ribs, “including the top two strong ones that don't normally break”; several facial fractures; and aggravated left knee ligaments.

“I spent eight days in hospital where I had an emergency double operation on my shoulders, metal plate in left and artificial tendons in the right and I'm currently doing a six-week recovery period in France with my mother, my only remaining family member.

“I needed 24hr care in the early stages due to my arms being strapped up. I'm healing extremely quickly and well, so gradually becoming more independent each day.”

Speedie says that as the driver will be almost impossible to trace, there is “slim to no chance of getting any sort of compensation” – although he’s still trying.

“I've been forced to use what little savings I had before the crash to financially survive the recovery period of six weeks. Added to this I'll be unable to work properly as a warehouse manager because I'll be unfit to lift for possibly another six months.

“I can still work but will have to change the way I operate. My new employers have been very, very accommodating, for which I'm grateful and lucky.

“I may be losing earnings over the next year but that's difficult to judge. It's currently dependent on follow up consultations for the ribs, shoulders and knee. It's likely I'll have to reconsider my working options at some point in the future.”

You can find Speedie’s GoFundMe page here.

Speedie Gazelle
Crowdfunder
hit and run
Alex Bowden

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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8 comments

Avatar
Speedie | 5 years ago
6 likes

Hello everyone,

The team at GoFundMe had shared my campaign with you guys here but no one had told me so I was unaware of this post and subsequent comments.

Thank you for all your advice and kind words, I'd also like to thank those who may have donated after seeing this article and then reading my story. 

I've already submitted a claim to the MIB regarding the accident so we shall see what comes of that. 

I'm recovering well and pretty much independent after 5 weeks since the crash and 4 weeks since the double operation on my shoulders. Ribs are starting to fuse which is also an encouraging sign. Doctors and physiotherapists have told me my pain threshold is high so I've got that going for me!

And finally you'd all love to here a good friend of mine is already building me a brand new super super lightweight road bike as a replacement for my trusty Raleigh, he's painted the frame and currently building it from scratch! Think I can save the Pifco battery powered horn...

Avatar
ktache | 5 years ago
0 likes

Hey ChairRDRF, I thought the Stop Killing Children was a fine watch and made some very good points.  Good luck with everything.

Avatar
ChairRDRF | 5 years ago
0 likes

As others have said, compensation CAN be received via Motor Insurance Bureau. If Speedie is a member of Cycling UK and/or London Cycling Campaign and/or British Cycling they should be able to help.

 

Can you convey this to him?

Avatar
Bfg | 5 years ago
0 likes

I had to be off work for six months after the metal plate holding my clavicle came loose and knowing I only get statutory sick pay had taken out income protection insurance.

Income protection and BC membership together are a great back up for when it all goes pear shaped.

Avatar
brooksby | 5 years ago
4 likes

Tbh when I read the headline and saw the picture I'd assumed he was a courier. Surprised to then read he was a commuter.

(Personally I think that  cars should be taxed and have some sort of identifying registration number so that their drivers cannot avoid responsibility. Oh, wait a minute...)

Avatar
thehill | 5 years ago
1 like

get well soon!
have got to wonder warehouse manager - self employed - sounds like he must have been working for Amazon The Devil

Avatar
Arjimlad | 5 years ago
6 likes

 

https://www.mib.org.uk/making-a-claim/claiming-against-an-untraced-driver/

Ordinarily, would it not be possible to bring a MIB claim in these circumstances ?  Hope this helps & wish Speedy a speedy recovery !

 

Avatar
hmas1974 replied to Arjimlad | 5 years ago
0 likes
Arjimlad wrote:

 

https://www.mib.org.uk/making-a-claim/claiming-against-an-untraced-driver/

Ordinarily, would it not be possible to bring a MIB claim in these circumstances ?  Hope this helps & wish Speedy a speedy recovery !

 

Good call!

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