URGENT UPDATE: A taxi driver has been sentenced after a shocking crash left a cyclist with a broken spine and elbow. The incident occurred in the early hours of the morning on April 5, 2023, along a main road in Cramlington, Northumberland.
Garry Anderson, 59, failed to see the cyclist, who was wearing yellow reflective gear and was equipped with red and white flashing lights on her bike. Authorities report that he “momentarily” lost concentration, leading to the devastating collision. The cyclist, who had started her journey at 4:30 AM from Gosforth to Lynemouth, remembers little after joining the A1068 Fisher Lane until she woke up in an ambulance.
The victim was immediately rushed to the hospital and later transferred to the Royal Victoria Infirmary for major trauma care. Medical staff confirmed multiple injuries, including a fractured spine and elbow.
In court, Anderson pleaded guilty to causing serious injury by careless driving. He has been ordered to pay a £200 fine, alongside £85 in costs and another £85 victim surcharge. He will also lose his taxi driving license for the next 12 months.
Prosecutor Paul Anderson highlighted the severity of the incident, stating, “The victim has little recollection of what happened after she joined the A1068 until she woke up in the rear of an ambulance.”
Despite the traumatic experience, the cyclist did not provide a victim impact statement but expressed that she holds no “ill feeling” towards Anderson. Defense attorney Graham Crouth stated that the road conditions contributed to the accident, describing it as a “classic case of careless driving” due to the dark and winding road.
During sentencing, chairing magistrate Win Clayton remarked, “This was a terrible event for all concerned. You did everything in your power that day to get help immediately for that lady.”
As this case highlights the critical importance of road safety, it serves as a stark reminder for all drivers to stay vigilant.
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