Speeding towpath cyclist puts another lady in hospital

YET another towpath accident involving a speeding cyclist, who came tearing around a blind corner and knocked a lady over damaging her face.

Though Canal & River Trust state that there have been no serious accidents on its upgraded cycle towpaths, this is the fourth we have recorded.

Suspected fracture

This lady, June Fairham, was admitted to hospital with a suspected fracture and possible damage to her eye as she had struck her head on the upgraded towpath, under the bridge, pictured, at Bootle on the Leeds & Liverpool Canal last week-end.

The report states she was walking through the bridge when a 'very fast' cyclist came around the corner unable to stop and though the railing under the bridged stopped her being catapulted into the waterway, they meant that she could not escape so was knocked over striking her head on the hard towpath.

It is not known if she has been released from hospital.

Sped away

As is now normal in these circumstances, the cyclist made no attempt to see how the lady was, but sped away, and of course cannot be found.

Another 'not serious(!)' accident was a cyclist breaking a pedestrian's leg at Bingley Five Rise, with the narrowboatworld contributor Mick Fitzgibbons being hit by a cyclist whilst handling his ropes at the locks (Towpaths—dangerous places to be) and a subsequent demonstration by residents, that alas had no effect after it was reported.

Many readers will well remember this photograph of the result of Judith Norris, another lady who was knocked over by a cyclist on one of CaRT's upgraded  towpaths, who too had to be admitted to hospital, and again the culprit speeding away.

14 cycle collisions

If you are still not sure just how dangerous are the upgraded towpaths nowadays, take a look at It is not working Mr Parry where victims reported no less that 14 collisions with fast moving cyclists on towpaths from around the country, together with many near misses.

It really is time something is done, or is CaRT waiting until someone is finally killed, as surely they must be.