Rhyl CC Tragedy - Book of Condolence
We'd like to thank everyone who has sent in a message of support or condolence. If you want to add your message, please send it to pressoffice@britishcycling.org.uk
We have just learnt of the death of young Isle of Man cyclist James Berry and of four cyclists - Thomas Harland, Maurice Broadbent, Dave Horrocks and Wayne Wilkes - from the Welsh Rhyl Cycling Club in separate tragic road accidents. On behalf of the Board, staff and members of Cycling Australia I would like to offer our sincere condolences and deepest sympathy.
The loss of any cyclist is a devastating occurrence of which we are painfully aware following the recent loss of Australian cyclist, Amy Gillett. Our thoughts are with the families of these riders and all those in the British Cycling Federation who were close to them.
Kind regards
Graham Fredericks
Chief Executive Officer
note: The Australian national squad was rocked last year by a terrible accident which occured when several of their leading female road riders (including Amy Gillett) were hit by a car whilst warming up for a race.
To all at Rhyl CC - Very sorry to hear of the tragic accident On Sunday. We would like to offer our condolences and our thoughts are with the families club mates and friends affected by the awful news.
St Budeaux CC
Plymouth.
With deepest sympathy from all at Monmouth Tri Club, will be thinking of you during our ride on Sunday morning.
I am so sorry to hear of this awful tragedy. I can't imagine how the family and friends of these fine bike riders must feel. My family, friends, fellow riders and myself send our sincere condolences to all concerned. We are so sorry.
love to you all
J Sharp and family
It is with great sadness that I write this email. It is such a tragedy when any cyclists die but for on so young (Isle of Man) and so much to live for is tragic and also the tragic accident which claimed the lives of four cyclists from one club is indescribable. As a wife of a keen cyclist, I worry each day and it just proves how vulnerable every cyclist is.
My condolences are with all families concerned.
J Baldwin
The following message has been sent to the Rhyll club:
"Here in Suffolk we are heartbroken at the tragic news of Sunday's events. The Eastern Cyclo-Cross Association sends sincere condolences to your club. We can only say our thoughts and prayers are with you. A few months ago we had our own share of tragedy when Zak Carr was mown down on the A11 near Norwich. So we share your pain.
Ron Hunt
Press Officer ECCA "
Devastating , is the only word I can think of . Such a waste, a normal club run that ended with such tragedy . my heart goes out to everyone connected with the rhyll cycling club and especially to the friends and family's that have been torn apart.
R.I.P.
stewart (thurcroft cc)
Mere words cannot express my feelings when I heard of this tragedy. My family and I send our sincerest condolences at this very sad time.
Charles Jackson
Preston Recycling Ltd
Absolutely stunned and shocked by the accident! Our thoughts are with their loved ones.
All at Fuji Bikes.Our thoughts are with you at this tragic time. It's only a few weeks ago that we were watching Maurice winning races at Manchester. He looked like he was really enjoying himself giving the youngsters a good whooping. Sincere sympathy and kind regards to all the families
The Bond Family CC GiroI would like to send my sincere condolences and deepest sympathy to all Families and friends of the victims in the tragic accident in North Wales.
Regards
Bob Hatton
I-team.co.ukOn behalf of all members of Halifax Imperial Wheelers I wish to express our condolences and to say that our thoughts are with the families of those kileed and with all members of Rhyl CC.
Andrew Mann (Treasurer and Registrar, Halifax Imps)As a keen cyclist, cycling instructor and mother of a 14 year old cyclist, I would like to express my great sadness and shock at this terrible tragedy and. On behalf of myself and all members of Southampton Cycling Campaign I would like to offer our sincere and heart-felt condolences to the families concerned. Our thoughts are with you.
Lindsi Bluemel, Southampton Cycling CampaignWith sincere condolences and deepest sympathy, my thoughts are with all the families in their great loss.
James Hall
Mallorca, SpainHaving taken cycling seriously over the last 4 years, I just feel numb at the thought of what has happened. It could have been anyone of us in the cycling community. It just shows how fragile life really is.
Deepest sympathy
Phil EvansWords don't work at times like this. We're thinking of you all
Dei Huws (Anglesey)Please pass on my deepest and sincerest sympathy to all those families and friends involved in Sunday's tragic accident. I never had the pleasure of meeting Rhyl Cycling Club but I think all cycling clubs around the country have been shocked by this news.
John Batchelor
Chairman, St Ives Cycling Club
There has been little else talked about up on Tyneside beyond the horror of what happened and the sympathy for those that remain
Peter ShawOn behalf of myself & all the members of my family, I would like to convey our heartfelt sympathies to the bereaved relatives. As fellow Welsh cyclists, I would also like to express our solidarity with the members and friends of Rhyl CC at this especially sad time. We share your your feelings.
Ian Shakeshaft, Port Talbot, South Wales.Will you please send my condolences to the families involved in this tragic avoidable incident. I too lost my beautiful son in similar circumstances two years ago. My son's website is www.4callum.com and it links to helpful sites for bereaved parents.
I am so sorry, i know the heartache
love from
Roseanne KayI wish to express my condolences to the families of those killed in this tragic accident. Although I am a runner not a cyclist, this tradegy is somthing I am sure has touched many people.
Regards
Guy Regis
I lost my brother Simon 3 months ago in a road traffic accident and seeing this awful tragedy has brought it all back. My thoughts are with all the families left to cope with this, I wish them well and I hope they are there for each other as now is the time that being a family counts.
Peace
SDMy sincerest sympathies to all the friends and families of the Rhyll cycling club. I am currently over in Toronto (Canada) and this story is front page news in our local paper...just read about it now and my whole body went cold. Its such a harrowing picture as we've all said. My parents live within a few miles of this crash scene and whenever I'm home these are the roads that I ride on too.
Sympathies,
Paul NewsomeTo all those involved and affected by this awful tragedy, all of us in the world of cycling are thinking of you. We know what it is to be vulnerable on a bike, to feel vulnerable, but cannot even begin to comprehend what you are having to go through. We can only hope that you gain some strength from knowing that we are all devastated by this news and all the more aware of the dangers of the road. We will carry on riding but when every car goes by we will be reminded, we will not forget.
Tony Boynton,
veteran,
Cottingham Coureurs RTI was very shocked and sadden to hear about the tragedy that happened to 12 cyclist from the Rhyl Cycling Club who were enjoying a club run last Sunday. My thoughts our with the 4 families who lost loved ones. I offer my sincere codolences and deepest sympathy.
Ann Drayson..( Cleveleys cyclist)There have been many tragedies in recent years, but none has affected me so deeply. Four lives may seem insignificant compared to wars, famines and natural disasters, but for the families concerned, the individual loss must be every bit as painful. They have my deepest sympathy. The reason this saddened and depressed me so much, as I suspect it did many other cyclist, was that I am so like the victims. I do Sunday club rides, I go to the track, I ride with friends and family. It could have been me! I am sure that cyclists throughout Britain and beyond are thinking of the victims and their families right now. Let us all show solidarity with them, cyclists now and forever.
Gary
Sheffield
I am a member of Deeside Olympic CC and I'm just contacting people with regards to the tragic accident that happened to members Rhyl CC on Sunday 8th January 2006. We have set up a message board on our website where people can leave messages for the families and friends of those who died, and we will be making sure that they get received by them. I would be grateful if you could pass this message on to anyone that you think would like to leave a message. The website is www.deesideolympic.co.uk
Thank you
Kind Regards
Amanda CarolanI was stunned to hear of the tragic accident on Sunday I and cant begin to imagine what the families of the victims must be going through. I rode out on a training ride on Monday morning and I could think of nothing else but the awful events of the previous day and I know many of my clubmates feel the same. We all plan to ride out on Sunday and will be wearing black armbands as a mark of respect. Our thoughts are with you all at this very sad time.
Richard Pedersen Wyre Forest Cycle Racing Club.No words can express, what we know each and everyone of you are going through, such awful accidents, we are chocked. So we just want to say, we are thinking of you all, godbless !!!!! R.I.P James Berry, Thomas Harland, Maurice Broadbent, Dave Horrocks, Wayne Wilkes and Amy Gillett.
Our sincere condolences.
Sandy, Mark and Ben SwiftTo the Families and Friends of those killed and injured on Sunday I would like to offer my very deepest condolences. Not a cyclist myself, I am shocked to the core by this horrific incident. Your pain must be excruciating but I hope that with time you can all find some peace.
My heartfelt sympathies.
ElvinaMy wife Fay and I send heart-felt condolences on the tragic death of the four cyclists in Wales. Please accept our deepest sympathy.
Michael Boyle
(Vice-Chairman, British Cycling Yorkshire region).On behalf of the Chairman, Committee and members of Matlock Cycling Club I would like to express our sincere condolences to the family, friends and club members of Rhyl Cycling Club following the appalling tragedy which occured on Sunday. To lose one member in such an accident, as our club has done on two occasions in the past, is hard to bear, one can only imagine the trauma that Sunday's event must have on everyone associated with the club.
Tony Holmes
Secretary
Matlock Cycling ClubOur thoughts and prayers are with all the families who have suffered such a tragic loss of life.
John & Michele Davies
Llanychan, Vale of ClwydOn behalf of the members of the Royal Albert Cycling Club,Scotland we would like to offer our sincere condolences and deepest sympathy to the members of the Ryhl Cycling club and families.
Tony Nugent
Royal Albert Cycling ClubPlease convey my deepest sympathy to the cycling club and families of those affected by this dreadful tragedy. It feels like I have lost my own brothers, even though I don't know any of them.
A cyclist, South Wales.Having really enjoyed my usual ride last Sunday, I was shocked and sorry to learn of the tragic accident in Rhyl. When cycling home yesterday evening, a car passenger opened his door in front of me right across the cycle path I was on. In my case I was lucky as the door took the full impact and I went home with some cuts and bruises. We love our sport and we can never be 100% secure...but it makes you think. To the members of Rhyl CC and families concerned, I send my thoughts and best wishes. There, but for the grace of God, go I.
Mark RoderickWords cannot express the devastation that the families of the four people who were killed are suffering now and probably for ever.As a father of a young boy I cannot comprehend what Jon and his family are going through,it beggars belief.I feel so much for the fellow cyclists who were there and witnessed such awful tragedy,I really hope that you continue to cycle in their memory if nothing else,they would want you to do that.
With deepest sympathy for all the families,
David Wyn Roberts'Many many times it goes over and over in my head! and i ask the question why! why! why! My sincere condolences and deepest sympathy to the families at this very sad time!'
John owen (HOLYHEAD CYCLING CLUB)It has been a great shock to read of the trerrible and tragic deaths, and injuries and traumas suffered by the cyclists of Rhyl Cycling Clubon Sunday 8/1/06. May I personally pass on sincere condolences on behalf of the cyclists of the East Bradford Cycling Club and wish a speedy and complete recovery to those injured and affected.
Neil Arnold,
Chairman,
East Bradford Cycling Club.Please! pass on my condolences, to the families of all those who so tragically lost their lives near Abergele, on the 8th January 2006. I did not know any of them personally, but as a fellow cyclist and human being, my thoughts are with their families and friends during this difficult time. With Deepest Sympathy,
Stephen Mundie
Peterhead, Aberdeenshire,
Scotland.So sorry to hear of this tragic accident. It is the most terrible of news in the New Year. My best wishes and sympathy go to all of the families and close friends of these fellow cyclists.
Guy Elliott
Solihull CCMy husband and I would like to offer our sincere condolences to Rhyl Cycling club and the families of all those involved. Our thoughts and prayers are with you at this time. Deb and Eamonn Sheridan (Holyhead Cycling Club, and Birmingham, Running and Triathlon Club). This tragic accident brings it clearly to mind how vulnerable we all are. Our sincere condolences to the families in North Wales. Dave Wilkes and
Dave Edlin on behalf of Team Bradgate
In deepest sympathy to the families and friends of those in last Sunday's tragic accident.
Philip Kaisary
Oxford TriathletesShocked at such dreadful and unnecessary loss of life. Our thoughts are with all the families and especially the survivors who witnessed the terrible carnage. May they all find the strength to carry on as best they can.
To all fellow-cyclists, take care out there.
Mick McLaughlin, London.