Cyclist tells of accident consequences

Multiple injuries victim says world was "turned upside down"


AN experienced hobby cyclist, allegedly knocked off her bike by a car, told a court yesterday how the incident had "turned her life upside down".

Joan Henry ended up in the hospital where she normally works and hasn't been able to resume her duties there, because of the multiple injuries she sustained, let alone get back on her favourite racing bike reduced to mangled metal, in the accident, less than a year ago.

Mrs Henry, 38, who entered the witness box at Wick Sheriff Court, yesterday, with a walking aid, broke down at the start of her evidence as she began to recall the fateful trip she set out on, from the hamlet of Thrumster.

Resuming after a break, she said that wearing her hi-viz vest and safety helmet, it was a journey to Wick, that was so familiar to her, she could have made it "with my eyes closed".

However, Mrs Henry, who was given the bike as a Christmas present, said that all she could could remember, was coming round, on the ground staring up at the sky and someone, a woman, was "wiping my face".

Asked if she could identify the person, Mrs Henry said she could, and pointed to elderly Margaret Cooper in the dock.

The 87-year-old from 142 Corentin Court, Finistere Avenue, Falkirk, denies driving carelessly and colliding with the rear of Mrs Henry's bike,on the A99 at near Thrumster, on May 13, last year, causing injury to Mrs Henry and damaging her carbon fibre bike, said to have cost between £1,500- £1,800.

Asked by fiscal depute Fraser Matheson if she was aware of where the ambulance had taken her, she replied she knew it was Caithness General Hospital at Wick, where she worked in medical records and added that she knew all the staff.

Mrs Henry's injuries included fractures and she had to have a metal plate inserted in her leg. She had broken teeth and her nose required attention. She was unable to lie in bed on her shoulder which was broken and there was scarring on her knees and she was having physiotherapy.

Mrs Henry said that the accident had "turned her life upside down" but paid tribute to her family for their support.

Delivery van driver Richard Macleod, 38, was heading south at the time and was slowing down to make a deliver at Thrumster.

She said he saw the approaching bike and a Skoda car which he said was following close behind. He estimated there was only one foot in distance between them.

Engineer Bruce Foubister (39) was also driving south and was behind the delivery. He said that he recognised the make of the oncoming car as a Skoda Fabia and thought that the distance between it and the cyclist was "less than a metre".

Mr Foubister said he looked in his mirror and saw "the cyclist take a tumble".

Asked by fiscal Mr Matheson how that had happened, he replied: "I would suggest the car hit the bike."

The trial continues.