UK & World News
- 9 November 2012, 2:17
Bradley Wiggins And Coach Shane Sutton Hurt
GB cycling team's head coach has been taken to hospital after a cycle crash - just hours after Tour de France victor Bradley Wiggins was hurt in a separate collision.
Shane Sutton OBE, 55, is recovering in hospital following a crash in Manchester in which he suffered bruising and bleeding on the brain.
Wiggins, 32, has been released from hospital after he sustained a broken rib and a dislocated finger or thumb in a collision involving a van near his home in Eccleston, Lancashire, on Wednesday.
A statement for Greater Manchester Police confirmed Mr Sutton, from Cardiff, was involved in a collision with a blue Peugeot 206 driven by a 61-year-old man.
It said he suffered a head injury in the collision and was taken to Hope Hospital for treatment, where he is in a stable condition.
A spokeswoman for British Cycling said: "It is extremely rare that our riders and coaches are hurt while out cycling on the road, even rarer that two incidents should occur in a short space of time, and we wish Shane and Bradley a speedy recovery.
"Shane was taken into hospital where it was identified he has suffered bruising and bleeding on the brain.
"Shane was wearing a helmet. He is set to undergo more tests, and is likely to stay in hospital for the next few days."
She added: "Cycling is not an intrinsically dangerous activity but there is much more to be done to improve conditions for cyclists on the roads.
"British Cycling is calling on the Government to put cycling at the heart of transport policy to ensure that cycle safety is built into the design of all new roads, junctions and transport projects, rather than being an afterthought."
Wiggins, who won gold in the road race at London 2012, was taken by ambulance to Royal Preston Hospital following the collision in Crow Orchard Road in Wrightington shortly after 6pm on Wednesday.
Police will question the driver of a white Vauxhall Astra Envoy van who was uninjured in the collision.
Both cyclists were wearing cycle helmets.
Fellow GB cyclists spoke of their shock at the two accidents.
Laura Trott, who won two gold medals at the London Olympics, wrote: "What the hell is happening these days!! Wishing wiggo and shane a speedy recovery x @LauraTrott31."
Geraint Thomas, who won gold in the team pursuit at London 2012 and Beijing 2008, wrote: "What a 24hrs for British cycling, hope Shane and Brad heal up fast!! #weneedyou @GeraintThomas86."
Sprint expert Mark Cavendish tweeted: "Really wishing my friend Bradley Wiggins a speedy recovery in hospital after being knocked off his bike by a car yesterday."
Update:
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what do you think?
Lorgar Aurelian
I know exactly where Mr Sutton was run down and he isn't the first. Dangerous junction and the way drivers use the A6 boggles the mind. Now you know why cyclists use the pavement. Stupid inattentive driving is on the up.
Vladtheinhaler .
This is sadly the plight of hundreds of cyclists each year. The arrogance of motorists, and plain lack of skilful driving causes so many deaths and injuries. I drive and i also cycle, and i have respect for cyclists when i am behind a wheel. Most , do not. We are not a cyclist friendly society, because sometimes we are delayed by them for a few seconds. Think on , when you see a cyclist, they are people without the hard shell. I'm lucky, i've survived a couple of clips by cars , not that any of them would ever accept blame.Just one broken arm , to my credit. Not too bad.
STEVE BUCKLE
I can sympathise with any biker innocently hurt, but there are that many out there who flout the law that motorists treat the majority of cyclists with the contempt they treat everyone else! It's commonplace to see cyclists on the path when there are clear cycle lanes, yet when the cycle lanes are on the path they're on the road! What's this but contempt? If you see a cyclist in the dark with any lights at all it's a rarity so maybe it's a case that if ALL cyclists complied with the law they'd get the respect they deserve! Motorist see the Police regularly ignore cycling offences and that's why motorists treat most cyclists in the way they do as they think the Police aren't bothered so whyy should I be? I ride a bike occasionally and as I treat other people with respect I generally get treated the same! There'll always be bad and unobservant motorists so we ALL need to be aware!!!!!
michael porter
3:24pm on 8/11/2012
GET WELL SOON BRADLEY AND SHANE....I am glad to hear that both of them are wearing helmets but I see some people even some kids don't wear it include horse riders as well...end of day it does save lives for wearing helmets!!!