Specialist Injury Lawyers Say More Needs To Be Done To Protect Edinburgh’s Cyclists

A dad-of-two who was crushed and left fighting for his life when a lorry tried to overtake him knocking him from his bicycle is appealing for witnesses to come forward in the hope they may hold vital evidence that could help find the person responsible and allow him to move on from his ordeal.

Raymond Richford, from Loanhead, Midlothian, was cycling on the A6094 Hawgate to Leadburn Road on the outskirts of Edinburgh on 30 May last year when he was injured in an accident  with a lorry which ran over his chest.

The 44-year-old, who works as a Senior IT Manager, spent 51 days in Edinburgh Royal Infirmary after suffering a crushed left lung, paralysed vocal cords, 17 fractured ribs, two broken shoulder blades and serious injuries to his arms and shoulders when he was struck, having fallen from his bicycle.

Serious injury experts at Irwin Mitchell Scotland, are helping Raymond in his battle to access funds for his continuing rehabilitation, but he desperately needs witnesses who saw the collision to come forward, as they may hold vital evidence about what happened.

There has been no criminal prosecution due to lack of evidence and the insurers of the lorry driver who Raymond believes hit him are refusing to admit responsibility for what happened.

David Bell, a specialist in cycle injury claims at Irwin Mitchell Scotland, said: “We need witnesses who saw what happened to come forward so we can determine who was responsible. On 30 May last year Raymond was travelling 0.5 miles south from junction B7026 Howgate to Auchindinny between 8.40am and 8.50am and we’d like to speak with anyone who was in the area at that time.

“Raymond has made a fantastic recovery going back to work and even getting back on a bicycle, but to be able to move on from this ordeal he needs further information so we can get him the long-term support, physiotherapy and rehabilitation he requires.

“We regularly deal with clients who are seriously injured after being knocked from a bicycle, often through no fault of their own, and more needs to be done to educate all road users about how to share Britain’s roads safely.

“Edinburgh has been declared Scotland’s first bike-friendly city, with £1m due to be invested over the next year, which is great news for the city but we suggest some of this funding is spent on better training and awareness.”

Raymond continues to suffer from constant pain in his left shoulder, right elbow and both sides of his rib cage. In December last year he required a further operation to remove excess bone on his collar bone that had grown as a result of the accident.

He was off work for four months and didn’t return full time until six months after the accident and remarkably he still cycles.

Raymond said: “It’s a real step forward for Edinburgh that it’s been declared as a cycle friendly city , but the council needs to ensure this is spent teaching road users how to share the road safely with cyclists, as well as improving cycle routes to have any real impact.

“I’m thankful I was wearing a helmet as doctors told me it ultimately saved my life. It baffles me that I see so many cyclists not wearing one. It’s such a simple thing that can make all the difference.

“Although I’ve been determined to get back to work as quickly as possible it is hard to move on knowing the person responsible for my injuries has not been brought to justice.

“I hope anyone that was in the area at the time and saw the accident gets in touch with police as they may hold vital evidence about what happened so the police can conclude their enquiries and I can begin to put this ordeal behind me.”

Anyone with information should contact David Bell at Irwin Mitchell on 0141 300 4310 or email david.bell@irwinmitchell.com.