A50 CRASH CYCLIST'S AMAZING ESCAPE
A CYCLIST is in hospital with a collapsed lung and 13 broken bones after being knocked off his bike in a hit and run.
Paul Bell, aged 45, cheated death after being catapulted from his bike into the central reservation of the A50 when he was hit by a lorry.
The keen cyclist, from Meir Park, was heading towards Uttoxeter when the incident happened near to the JCB World Parts Centre.
Speaking from his bed at University Hospital of North Staffordshire, he said: "I was cycling from Stoke-on-Trent to Uttoxeter when I was overtaken by a lorry and I thought 'phew that was a near miss'.
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"Just as I was thinking that a lorry behind me hit my bike. I was thrown across two lanes and bounced off the central reservation.
"Luckily there were roadworks on the other side of the road as I struggled to the side with my bike to get the attention of the workmen."
The computer programmer broke 11 ribs, his collarbone and a shoulder blade. He was treated at the scene by paramedics called out by the workmen.
Daughter Aimee Jarville, aged 22, a part-time shop worker from Northampton, said: "The doctors said he should buy a lottery ticket he's been so lucky. If there hadn't been workmen God knows how long before someone found him."
The road workers alerted the emergency services, and Paul's friend Simon Barnsley was contacted using a number that he gave before collapsing.
Aimee said: "When my dad's friend rang me I was frantic with worry as soon as he started listing all the broken bones.
"I was wondering what the hell happened, why did the driver not stop? I want to find out who did this, they need to apologise to him more than anything."
Paul believes the lorry which struck him at about 6pm on Monday was white and police are now investigating.
A West Midlands Ambulance spokesman said: "We received a call at 6.12pm on Monday and sent three vehicles, two rapid response vehicles and an ambulance after reports of a man who was injured after an incident involving a bicycle and a lorry.
"The man was taken to University Hospital of North Staffordshire."
Police are appealing for witnesses to the incident.
Anyone with information about the incident should contact Uttoxeter Police on 0300 123 44 55.
Comments
by mh, stoke on trent
Friday, January 22 2010, 7:24PM
“ooops.......HERE WE GO AGAINNNNNNNN”
by Martin, London
Friday, January 22 2010, 5:33PM
“Andy, did you read my post or just the quote that I was attacking??”
by Mike, Alsager
Friday, January 22 2010, 4:09PM
“Andy....in response to your comment "you car drivers think they own the road" .................do cyclists pay road tax? Thought not.”
by Andy Johnson, Stoke on Trent
Friday, January 22 2010, 10:07AM
“To mporter, I find it outrageous that you cannot understand that the road in question is wide enough for a car and a cyclist, hell its even wide enough for a lorry and a cyclist per lane. now tell me that you do have the common sense to slow down a little at a difficult corner, because if not i would strongly recommend you sell you car and never drive again. We are talking about peoples lives, plus the fact that a 70Mph speed limit is infact that, "A LIMIT" you car dirver think you own the roads! So insensitive.”
by magneto, shelton
Friday, January 22 2010, 9:41AM
“Maybe the driver had transcended into the zombie like state travelling at a governed 56mph induces. As for the cyclist, he could have chosen the Tean route and been knocked off by a partially sighted geriatric instead. Cycle/moped path be an idea?”
by mporter, London
Friday, January 22 2010, 9:22AM
“D Stone "A cyclist was JUST around that corner and almost caused me to swerve into the car in the lane beside me. Now tell me, how are we supposed to give cyclists a "wide berth" on a 70mph busy road with traffic in each lane when there was no way of seeing the cyclist before the bend?"
This is absolutely not good enough. You are obliged to travel in such a way that you can stop in the distance you can see to be clear. You must leave yourself sufficient time to mirror signal manoevure past any cyclist you encounter. It is perfectly possible for cyclists and motorists to share the roads but it does require motorists to exhibit a basic degree of motoring skill.”
by Mick Penning, newcastle, staffs
Thursday, January 21 2010, 10:55PM
“Geoff the ex-cop:
I've just been on this page and seen your comment (your first of many today on this subject I see).
Firstly, I doubt very much if you ever were a cop in the first place. Your general attitude puts you under suspicion.
Accordingly I take your abusive comments with a pinch of salt. You make a poor poseur sonny boy. On yer bike.”
by Jkon, France
Thursday, January 21 2010, 8:33PM
“I hope the gentleman gets well soon but it begs the question, what was he doing on the A50 in the dark.!!
Unless im wrong that stretch is unlit so i assume hes was just not seen.”
by emily, Derbyshire
Thursday, January 21 2010, 8:29PM
“best wishes to paul...hope you get better soon.. all the best and for a speedy recovery and i hope you get back on your bike soon.. but not on the duel caarriage way :) get bett soon...from friends of the faimily :)X”
by Emily, Derbydhire
Thursday, January 21 2010, 8:23PM
“whishing all the best...and for a speedy recovery, hope paul gets back on his bike soon,.. but not on the duel carriage way :) Get better soon..form friends of the family :) x”