Veteran cyclist injured in horrific smash vows to ride again

Motorist admits careless driving

A CYCLIST who received horrific, life-changing injuries after being knocked flying by a motorist has vowed to get back in the saddle.

Jeffrey Garner’s skull was fractured and he sustained a brain haemorrhage, broken bones and injuries to his legs, hands and eye, leaving him with slurred speech, chronic pain, double vision and loss of hearing, Newbury magistrates heard.

But, after the case the 72-year-old father -of-two and Newbury Road Club stalwart, said his ambition was to fight back to fitness.

In the dock on Thursday, May 28, was 57-year-old Susan Mary Collins, whose careless driving caused the accident.

Felicity Lineham, prosecuting, said: “A serious collision occured in Newbury about 3pm at the junction of Andover Road and Buckingham Road.”

She said Mrs Collins, of Fifth Road, Newbury, pulled out of the junction in her blue Audi and struck 72-year-old Mr Garner.

Mrs Collins only realised she had hit someone because there was a loud bang, magistrates heard, and a witness, Phillip Tuttle, told police: “She turned right into the path of the cyclist.”

Ms Lineham said: “This was an extremely nasty accident resulting in very serious injuries. She confirmed that the collision was her fault and it could have been avoided if she’d looked harder.”

Mr Garner, who lives in Bell Holt, Wash Common, was hospitalised for almost two weeks and Ms Lineham added: “He was a keen cyclist, cycling 100 miles a week, and a keen golfer. All that has been taken away from him. He is still on painkillers and his injuries will take months to properly heal.”

Mrs Collins admitted driving without due care and attention on December 5 last year.

Representing herself, she told magistrates: “It all happened so quickly. I was driving home from Tesco and went to turn right at the junction. It was a bright, sunny day and clear. I’ve played it over and over in my head, but I just can’t remember seeing a cyclist.”

Mrs Collins has no previous convictions, the court heard.

Magistrates imposed six penalty points on her licence and fined her £160.

In addition Mrs Collins was ordered to pay £85 costs plus a statutory surcharge of £20.

Mr Garner, a keen cyclist for more than 50 years, said afterwards: “You get a sixth sense at junctions sometimes. A motorists looks right at you and appears to have seen you – but you know they haven’t. They’ve got ‘cycle blindness.’ They’re looking directly at you yet you just know they’re going to pull out.

“Unfortunately, in this case I don’t even remember the accident because she knocked me out. The last thing I remember was delivering Christmas cards, and then I woke up in hospital.”

Mr Garner, who has two grown-up sons with wife Phyllis, has been a member of the Newbury Road Club for more than 20 years and has held the posts of road-racing secretary, club chairman and vice-president.

He is also a long-standing member of Newbury and Crookham Golf Club.

However, since the accident he has not been able to enjoy either sport owing to joint pain.

He said: “If, after 50 years, I can no longer cycle with friends, I’ll be distraught. But I’m not giving up. I have a cycling machine at home. I shall persevere and one day, I hope, will be back.”