North Wales Tragedy: Latest News
- Condolence messages flood in
- Minute's Silence on Sunday
- Funeral Arrangements
Four Rhyl CC cyclists were killed on Sunday morning after their club run was hit by a car on the A547 road, close to the town of Abergele in North Wales. The four victims were Maurice Broadbent, 61, from Rhuddlan, Dave Horrocks, 55, from Llanerch, Wayne Wilkes, 42, of Rhyl and Thomas Harland, 14, from Prestatyn. They were part of a larger group of cyclists from the club, who were out on a Sunday run. They were hit by an out of control car which had been travelling in the opposite direction. The road the cyclists were travelling on has a reputation as an accident blackspot.
Book of Condolence: Messages of Support for Rhyl CC and Families of Victims
British Cycling has been inundated with messages of condolence since we opened an on-line book of condolence. We'd like to thank everyone who has contributed:
Minute's Silence 10am Sunday
We've had several suggestions that a minute's silence be observed at 10am on Sunday morning as a mark of respect, an idea which we are happy to endorse.
Cyclists Invited to Wear Black Arm-Bands
One idea which has gained momentum over the last few days is for cyclists to wear black armbands when out cycling this Sunday as a mark of respect. GB Team Performance Director Dave Brailsford has endorsed the suggestion and has asked GB riders to wear armbands when out training. Cyclist Chris Burch got the idea moving on the veloriders website. He said:
"There is no doubt that we have all been very moved by the accident to our friends in Rhyll CC this weekend. The circumstances surrounding the accident is a terrible reminder of how increasingly dangerous the roads we use every day are. As a mark of respect to our fallen collegues, I would like to suggest that we all were black armbands on our Sunday training rides this weekend.. A simple roll of insulation tape around a sleeve would be enough if thats all you have. Lets show the UK that we are thinking of our friends in Rhyl."
Funeral and Donation Arrangements
Details of the funerals and how to make donations
More Details >>>>
Rhyl CC Club Run Sunday 15th January
Alan Broadbent has been in touch to let us know about this Sunday's club run: "The Rhyl CC Sunday club run will take place as planned on Sunday (15th) as a mark of respect to our departed friends. Anyone who attends is requested to wear black armbands as a mark of respect. The club run meets at the Kings Head Public House in Rhuddlan at 9.30 and departs 9.45am ish."
British Cycling Staff Visit North Wales
British Cycling's Chief Executive, Peter King and Company Secretary, Alan Hawkins, who is responsible for British Cycling's legal and insurance services, travelled to North Wales on Monday to offer their support to the club and families affected. Whilst there, Peter spoke to Welsh Secretary Peter Hain.
President Brian Cookson's Response to the Incident.
Brian Cookson was quick to send a message of support to the families and friends of the cyclists affected: Details >>>>
The Wider Picture
The whole incident has had a very high profile in the national media and re-ignited the debate about the safety of cyclists on the public roads.
Questions have been raised about a number of issues surrounding the incident, including the safety of that particular stretch of the road, whether it had been gritted and not least the speed with which the police at the scene dismissed it as an accident.
Welsh Secretary Peter Hain told the BBC: "The thoughts of the people of Wales are with the families after this shocking accident. I will be asking the police and the local authorities for a report into how this tragedy happened."
British Cycling is committed to ensuring that lessons are learned from this tragedy and that positive action can be taken at all levels to make the public highway a safer place for all cyclist.
