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Two cyclists killed in separate incidents in Scotland last weekend

Male rider died in hospital in Aberdeen on Sunday, 24 hours after woman taking part in John O’Groats to Land’s End charity ride killed in lorry collision

Two cyclists – one a woman from London taking part in a charity ride from John O’Groats to Land’s End – lost their lives in separate road traffic incidents in Scotland last weekend.

Anna Roots, aged 34 and from London, was on a 12-day ride with a friend to raise money for Leukaemia and Lymphoma Research when she was killed following a collision with an articulated lorry, say Police Scotland.

The incident took place at around 3.15pm on the afternoon of Saturday 6 September on the A836 at Bettyhill, around 55 miles west of John O’Groats, a quieter road than the A9 which riders looking to complete the end-to-end ride in the shortest time possible would usually choose.

The second fatality took place a little over 24 hours later at 3.45pm on Sunday afternoon when a male cyclist was involved in a collision with a BMW 330 car on North Anderson Drive in Aberdeen, according to the BBC.

The man, who has not yet been named, was taken to Aberdeen Royal Infirmary, but died there as a result of his injuries.

Police Scotland are appealing for information in relation to both incidents, and can be contacted on 101.

Simon joined road.cc as news editor in 2009 and is now the site’s community editor, acting as a link between the team producing the content and our readers. A law and languages graduate, published translator and former retail analyst, he has reported on issues as diverse as cycling-related court cases, anti-doping investigations, the latest developments in the bike industry and the sport’s biggest races. Now back in London full-time after 15 years living in Oxford and Cambridge, he loves cycling along the Thames but misses having his former riding buddy, Elodie the miniature schnauzer, in the basket in front of him.

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15 comments

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rxpell | 9 years ago
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The victim of the Aberdeen incident has been named by police - Neil Jaffrey, a 32yr old father of three - including twins born just 7 weeks ago  2

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Colin Peyresourde | 9 years ago
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Very sad. I've been on that road. I can't see how it was a collision between a car and a bike. That seems to be one of those well trotted media phrases.

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Cyclic | 9 years ago
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My thoughts are with both families. It comes as no surprise to me that the BMW and Audi set in Aberdeen have claimed another victim. Aberdeenshire has the worst road traffic accident statistics in Scotland and the UK. The roads aren't great but the standard of driving is appalling along with being aggressive. I finished my commute today to be told by a gentleman standing at the side of the road that bikes are dangerous, not cars, bikes. I pointed out that generally bikes aren't dangerous in the same way that guns don't kill people, it is people holding the guns. I don't know of many motorists killed by bikes...

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Flying Scot replied to Cyclic | 9 years ago
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Cyclic wrote:

My thoughts are with both families. It comes as no surprise to me that the BMW and Audi set in Aberdeen have claimed another victim. Aberdeenshire has the worst road traffic accident statistics in Scotland and the UK. The roads aren't great but the standard of driving is appalling along with being aggressive....

I agree and also a disproportionate amount of high powered vehicles owned by oil workers and driven, frequently with lethal results, by their idiot offspring.

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SamLichy | 9 years ago
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Awful news. Yet again, another death caused by reckless drivers. It just fills me with more and more fear for cycling on the road; whenever I hear a car speeding behind me, I immediately cycle as close to the pavement as possible just encase he/she refuses to give me room.

I recently saw an article by road cc about another accident caused by a car, and you'd be shocked by the amount of people complaining to road cc over the amount of articles about cyclists being killed. Quite frankly, I was appalled. Yes - it may be depressing, and repetitive - but awareness needs to be spread, and these stories need to be heard!

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Dnnnnnn replied to SamLichy | 9 years ago
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SamLichy wrote:

another death caused by reckless drivers

Where does it say that?

Two tragedies nonetheless.

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mrchrispy | 9 years ago
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I'd have a bit of that!!!

I'm tired of being a 2nd class citizen

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mrmo | 9 years ago
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May sound harsh, but until boris Johnson is killed I don't see anything changing. I wish it would don't get me wrong, but it just seems that cyclists deaths on the roads are acceptable and until someone in power is killed then it doesn't matter.

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ls3bvet | 9 years ago
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Very sad news. I read this while waiting for a follow up x-ray on my fractured collar bone. 7 weeks ago I was knocked off on the A836 while doing the Lejog fortunately I survived and finished. It is time these deaths stopped.

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a_to_the_j | 9 years ago
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the time of day suggests good visibility too, saturday was showery but nothing major, sunday was a dry cloudy day but bright.

from what i can remember seeing some stats a few months ago, i believe this is the worst year so far for cycling fatalities in Scotland for a long time, and now we add another 2.

sad days.

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farrell | 9 years ago
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Awful news, you have to feel for their families and friends.

I'm making the assumption that Anna Roots' friend is physically OK and wasn't involved in the accident.

My Brother in Law is currently halfway through doing LEJOG for the same charity, Leukaemia and Lymphoma Research. I probably shouldn't be reading these stories.

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severs1966 | 9 years ago
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Damned lorries. How many more must die?

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IanW1968 replied to severs1966 | 9 years ago
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severs1966 wrote:

Damned lorries. How many more must die?

Quite a few considering the transport industry has just succsesfully lobbied for the limit on single carriage roads to be increased form 50 to 60 mph to save them £11 million a year.
Even though the DFT said it will cost several lives and serious injuries.

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notfastenough replied to IanW1968 | 9 years ago
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IanW1968 wrote:
severs1966 wrote:

Damned lorries. How many more must die?

Quite a few considering the transport industry has just succsesfully lobbied for the limit on single carriage roads to be increased form 50 to 60 mph to save them £11 million a year.
Even though the DFT said it will cost several lives and serious injuries.

I still can't believe this one - there's usually some smoke and mirrors to enable those behind it to deny that profits come before lives, but this one doesn't even bother with that. I'm half-tempted to set up a gofundme or something to raise the money to sue the DFT (is that even possible?). I guess I would likely have to wait until 12 months was up and we could see the increased loss of life before taking action though.

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jacknorell | 9 years ago
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