Words Fail me!

[HLaB]

This tragedy appeared on Road.cc today 'Irish cyclist killed by own son'

The Gardai comments are unbelievable though:

Gardai Sergeant Donal Prendergast, who attended the accident, noted that Mr Thackaberry was not wearing a helmet and also said the fact that he was wearing cycling shoes with clipless pedals may have contributed to the accident, saying, “I would believe he wasn’t able to get them [his feet] out quick enough. I believe it was a contributory factor.”

What garbage

 

[Simon_m]

"here was no mention in reports of whether alcohol was a factor", after leaving an Irish celebration!

 

[magnatom]

It's the last statement that is by far the worst to me.

“These professional cyclists seem to put their heads down and just go for it. I believe he wasn’t aware of the junction and was cycling straight on.”

 

[Simon_m]

It's the last statement that is by far the worst to me.

 

[Dayvo]

And this comment: Damien Forristal, a driver who witnessed the accident, told the inquest that it seemed as though Mr Thackaberry had been unable to stop in time due to being “wobbly” on his bicycle.



and also said the fact that he was wearing cycling shoes with clipless pedals may have contributed to the accident, saying, “I would believe he wasn’t able to get them [his feet] out quick enough. I believe it was a contributory factor.”

Bollox! Once a cyclist, always a cyclist! It's not as though he was some old codger who just happened to have an old pair or SPDs and clipless pedals. And wobbly! I doubt it!

The son was probably pissed and/or didn't care!

Tragic.

 

[DrSquirrel]

Aye, how does getting yoru feet out make you stop any faster.

I supposed flailing about would help - not that it matters as clipless release as soon as you fall 99% of the time.

Anyone actually know the road they were talking about...?

At least the article brings up one point "and in a rather sweeping, not to mention inaccurate, statement said"

 

[Camgreen]

Seems to me that there are a lot of "sweeping statements" being made here. None of us I assume were there at the time and none of us know if the cyclist, the driver, the passengers or indeed the witness were the worse for drink. Hell .... let's not stop there .... maybe the police officer was p**sed too!! We don't know any of the facts here, but the suggestion is that the cyclist MUST be blameless and that isn't necessarily the case.

My take on the account we've been given is that alcohol possibly was involved (in what small or larger quantity we none of us know) and most possibly the car was driving a little too fast for the road conditions, given there was a high hedge restricting the view (we presume) and a junction coming up. The cyclist may also have been guilty of an error of judgement given he'd moved away from a junction where there was a stop line without being 100% sure it was clear; which obviously wouldn't be helped if the car was driving faster than it should and/or the driver's judgement impaired.

The comment made by the coroner is both crass and insensitive. Whatever the circumstances were and where the blame ultimately lies, a man died, a family was left without a father/grandfather etc there was absolutely no need to say what he said.

 

[Dayvo]

Seems to me that there are a lot of "sweeping statements" being made here. None of us I assume were there at the time and none of us know if the cyclist, the driver, the passengers or indeed the witness were the worse for drink. Hell .... let's not stop there .... maybe the police officer was p**sed too!! We don't know any of the facts here, but the suggestion is that the cyclist MUST be blameless and that isn't necessarily the case.

My take on the account we've been given is that alcohol possibly was involved (in what small or larger quantity we none of us know) and most possibly the car was driving a little too fast for the road conditions, given there was a high hedge restricting the view (we presume) and a junction coming up. The cyclist may also have been guilty of an error of judgement given he'd moved away from a junction where there was a stop line without being 100% sure it was clear; which obviously wouldn't be helped if the car was driving faster than it should and/or the driver's judgement impaired.

The comment made by the coroner is both crass and insensitive. Whatever the circumstances were and where the blame ultimately lies, a man died, a family was left without a father/grandfather etc there was absolutely no need to say what he said.

That's the pot calling the kettle black, if ever I saw one!

 

[Camgreen]

That's the pot calling the kettle black, if ever I saw one!

Well it's certainly a bit more balanced than your anti-car rant which suggested the driver was drunk and totally to blame. A little more perspective was called for I think Dayvo is all I'm saying.

What you suggested may ultimately have been the case, but we don't know that it necessarily was now do we?

This is a tragic situation, whoever is ultimately at fault, a life has been lost and maybe others the worse for it happening.

 

[HLaB]

Anyone actually know the road they were talking about...?

I can't say for certain but it looks like its the middle of nowhere; the only cross roads are to the north of the village at the GAA grounds or to the south.

Edit given

He added that a hedgerow by the junction, which has since been cut, had restricted both parties’ lines of sight, giving them “less than a one second view of each other. They hadn’t sufficient time to brake and avoid the collision.”

The latter looks more likely.

 

[tyred]

The point is that someone has run their father down, and was witnessed doing it by members of his own family. The remorse and guilt which he most probably feels will stay for the rest of his life, far more so than any punishment which the courts may or may not have given him.

 

[thomas]

http://road.cc/content/news/31078-mp-moots-road-cycling-ban

another similarly silly article.

Ban cyclists from A roads, because one died on one...but the driver happened to be texting at around the same time. hmmmm. Missing the main problem I think!!

 

[Camgreen]

http://road.cc/conte...oad-cycling-ban

another similarly silly article.

Ban cyclists from A roads, because one died on one...but the driver happened to be texting at around the same time. hmmmm. Missing the main problem I think!!

Well on this occasion the driver looks to be guilty as charged, and indeed, was charged.

With regard to banning cyclists from this particular stretch of the A50, while "banning" is perhaps a little draconian, I for one would certainly not wish to chance my arm (or any other limb for that matter) cycling along it. The A50 as I'm sure you are aware Thomas, is a busy dual carriageway which links the M6 up with M1. While not a motorway, it is treated as such by the traffic who use it (wrongly of course); probably all the more reason for drivers of vehicles to give it their full and undivided attention and not fiddle enroute with in-car appliances.