Olympics dream ended for cyclist by 'hit and run' crash (17/8/11)

Paralympian cyclist Simon Richardson was in “good spirits” despite breaking his back in two places, fracturing his pelvis and having to breathe with just one lung following an alleged hit-and-run incident.

The 44-year-old from Porthcawl, who won two gold medals and a silver at the 2008 Beijing Games, was hit by a van while on his bike on the A48 near Bridgend on Wednesday.

A 59-year-old van driver from Cowbridge has been released on bail after he was arrested and questioned by police.

Despite being in a critical but stable condition at the University Hospital of Wales, Cardiff, Mr Richardson has been able to speak to his wife, Amanda, who remains at his bedside.

In a statement, Amanda said: “I’d like to thank everyone in the cycling community and other well-wishers for their messages of support for Simon.

“He will be heartened to know that people are extending their positive thoughts and encouragement to him during this difficult time.”

John Morgan, executive director of Disability Sport Wales, said: “He wants to know what is going on. He is aware of what has happened, he is aware of his surroundings, and he is talking and trying to be as upbeat as possible.”

Mr Richardson also sustained deep cuts to his legs and a broken breastbone.

Doctors were today assessing the best course of treatment and operations he must undergo.

• UPDATE

A man has been charged in connection with a crash which seriously injured Paralympic gold medal-winning cyclist Simon Richardson.

South Wales Police said a 60-year-old man from Cowbridge in the Vale of Glamorgan, south Wales, was charged with dangerous driving, drink-driving and failing to stop after an accident.

He will appear before magistrates in Barry on December 7.

Richardson, 44, was cycling along the A48 near Bridgend in August when he was involved in a collision with a van.

He was later taken by air ambulance to the University Hospital of Wales, Cardiff, where he was treated for multiple injuries.

The Paralympian cyclist, from Porthcawl, was released from hospital in September but faces up to three years of recovery.

He will miss the London 2012 games, but has since vowed to return to cycling.

Richardson was honoured with the MBE after winning two golds and one silver medal at the 2008 Beijing Paralympic games.

A South Wales Police spokeswoman said: “A 60-year-old man from the Cowbridge area has been charged with driving offences following a road traffic collision on Wednesday August 17 on the A48 between Bridgend and Cowbridge.”

His sponsor and friend Phil Jones said: “Although Simon wasn’t currently within the GB Paralympics performance programme, the times and training that he had been putting in up until now were certainly making him a very top contender to be considered for the London 2012 Paralympics.”

The crash has ended his dreams of competing in the London Games.

Mr Richardson, who was made an MBE in 2009, was seriously injured in a cycling incident with a car in 2001 while out with friends from a cycling club.

It was during his five-year rehabilitation that he competed and won medals in Beijing and was made an MBE for his sheer “mettle”.

Mr Morgan said: “He has shown great courage and determination in the past and he will meet this latest challenge head-on. Amanda is incredibly resilient and she has been at his bedside throughout.”

The crash happened at the busy Crack Hill, a Roman road between Cowbridge and Bridgend.

Gareth Sheppard, the performance manager for British Cycling’s paracycling team, said: “All our thoughts are with Simon and his family.

“It’s really sad that someone’s life could be threatened by someone not taking care and attention on the road.”

With ever-increasing traffic congestion and cycling a growing mass participation event in the United Kingdom, Sheppard called for increased awareness from all road users.

“You’ve got little protection as a cyclist because you are so exposed. We very much want to make sure racing and cycling in general on the road is safe and there does need to be a Government-backed campaign on the issue.”

A police spokesman said the van driver arrested had been bailed to return to Bridgend police station on October 13. He has not been named.