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Police appeal for witnesses after W. Lancs cycling fatality

Family pay tribute to well-known local figure

The family of a cyclist killed on Monday evening while riding along a country road in West Lancashire have paid tribute to her, reports the Southport Visiter.

Christine Favager, aged 69, died after she was struck by a Vauxhall Vectra as she cycled along Asmall Lane between Scarisbrick and Ormskirk. She is said to have ridden along that stretch of road on a regular basis.

In a statement, her family said: “Christine was a loving wife to Eric and mother to Andrew who will be very sadly and dearly missed.

“She was a very well-known member of the Ormskirk, Southport and Crosby Orchestras, as well as the Banks and Salvation Army Brass Bands. We all will miss you always.”

Mrs Favager is believed to have died instantly in the collision.

Richard Thompson, who works at Primrose Hill Nurseries on Asmall Lane was one of the first people on the scene and told the Visiter: “I heard a car screech and the impact and I ran to the road. I saw the lady in the field beside the road.”

A 19 year old man was arrested in connection with the incident on suspicion of causing death by dangerous driving and has been released pending further enquiries.

Inspector Damian Kitchen from the Lancashire Constabulary Road Policing Unit said: "This is a tragic incident and we are doing all we can to support the family of the lady involved. We need anybody who was in the vicinity between 7:30pm and 7:40pm to come forward and speak to the police.

"We are particularly keen to speak to the driver of a small hatchback, a Ford Fiesta or similar, who may have witnessed events at around the time of the incident to come forward."

Witnesses can contact police on 0845-1-253545 or call Crimestoppers anonymously on 0800-555-111.
 

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5 comments

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WolfieSmith | 12 years ago
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The sad thing is it's not a particularly busy road - just a country lane between two
places you've never heard of. Two straights over half a mile with a 90° blind bend and junction in the middle. Just enough space to vent your rage, or pretend you're Clarkson, mess it up and take a life. The story of our times. My respects to Mrs Favager and her family.

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E11a | 12 years ago
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I had a near miss at the same spot a few weeks ago. The (speeding) driver was using a company van so a complaint went to the MD.

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WolfieSmith | 12 years ago
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Interesting article John. If it's single cyclist against single driver with no witness I assume to comes down to forensics. In this case with someone a good 100 yards up the road hearing the collision and the poor victim ending up in a field speeding at least seems irrefutable. It's drivers using the maximum speed limit rather than theur brains that's the cause of tragedies like this one. Difficult to change. I'd like to see engine limiters linked to GPS and make all country lanes and B roads 50mph max. Dream world...

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John_the_Monkey | 12 years ago
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MercuryOne's comment reminds me slightly of this Velorution piece;

http://www.velorution.biz/2009/05/calls-for-witnesses/

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WolfieSmith | 12 years ago
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I know that lane well. In itself it has very clear sight lines and much of it is straight. It joins a busier road at a bad corner and then there's a nice fast straight before you signal right before Primrose to turn off. I imagine the poor lady was swiped at one of these two spots - plenty of time to avoid an accident unless you meet a combination of excessive speed, distraction and thick careless teenager.

Pity he didn't die as well. Wouldn't balance the loss but it would be one less weapon on the roads.

I bet he's justifying it already....I mean come on? What on earth was an elderly lady doing on a bike on a country lane on a clear summer evening?

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