Support road.cc

Like this site? Help us to make it better.

Back to news
news
Casualty
Crime & Legal
Police renew appeal over death of Craig Armitage during Otley CC Reliability RideCraig Armitage (source Cyclingc on Twitter)

Police renew appeal over death of Craig Armitage during Otley CC Reliability Ride

Officers seek driver of red car who may have valuable information over 44-year-old cycling coach's death...
by Simon_MacMichael
Sun, Apr 05, 2015 12:39
7

North Yorkshire Police are appealing for the driver of a red car to come forward and help with their investigation into the death of cyclist Craig Armitage in February. They believe the motorist - not involved in the incident - may have valuable information.

The 44-year-old cycling coach was taking part in the Otley CC Reliability Ride on Sunday 15 February when he was hit by a silver Hyundai i30 on the Bolton Abbey estate.

The incident happened on the B6160 at approximately 1130am. The father-of-three, who had been riding with two other cyclists, was pronounced dead at the scene.

In a fresh appeal for more witnesses to come forward, Traffic Constable Ken Riley from Skipton Roads Policing Group, commented: "I would like to thank the large number of people who responded to our initial appeal for witnesses at the time of the incident.

“The information received as a result of those witnesses contacting us has been vital to our investigation.

"However, we are now particularly interested in speaking to the driver of a red car seen in the area close to the scene of the incident, and I am urging them to come forward as they may have information relevant to the investigation."

A witness had spotted the car near the archway on the main road on the estate, and it is believed it would have passed the scene of the fatal incident shortly before it happened, meaning the driver may not be aware of the significance of anything they might have seen.

"Were you driving a red vehicle through the Bolton Abbey estate on Sunday 15 February, at around 11.30am?” asked Traffic Constable Riley. “If so, please contact me, as you may be able to help our investigation."
Anyone with information is asked to contact North Yorkshire Police on 101, selecting option 2, and asking for Traffic Constable Ken Riley or Skipton Roads Policing Group.7
Information can also be emailed to kenneth.riley [at] northyorkshire.pnn.police.uk, in both cases quoting reference number 12150025569.
A week after Mr Armitage’s death, 200 cyclists – including his father, aged in his 70s – rode in tribute to him.

His friend and business partner Jonathan Farnbay said: “It was absolutely what Craig would have wanted.

“Craig touched the lives of so many people and the turnout was a testament to him.

“He was dedicated to promoting cycling as a lifestyle choice and something all the family can get involved with. He believed in the power of cycling in bringing people together.

“Craig would not have wanted a black cloud over cycling.

“We don’t know what happened on the road that day, this was about celebrating a life and a love of cycling,” he added.

Craig Armitage
Otley CC
Boltons Abbey
North Yorkshire Police
Simon MacMichael

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.

Add new comment

7 comments

Avatar
IanW1968 | 9 years ago
0 likes

A little while ago my mate was knocked off by a car doing an a miscalculated punishment pass.

Wide open fen road, five statements from fellow cyclist of "good standing" to the effect the driver had purposely drove at him.

Still took a very reluctant police force/cps 14 months to bring him to court and the outcome was driving without due car and attention 3 points £30 quid fine.

Nothing should surprise you.

Avatar
Housecathst | 9 years ago
0 likes

So let me guess, I'm sure the two other cyclists would have given an account of "incident". But they clearly wouldnt be considered impartial. so it's imparative to find another motorist, to give a motorist eye view.

I wounder how that I'll work out. If we're lucky it end up in front of a jury of motorist to give their "impartial" view.

Avatar
Beaufort replied to Housecathst | 9 years ago
0 likes
Housecathst wrote:

So let me guess, I'm sure the two other cyclists would have given an account of "incident". But they clearly wouldnt be considered impartial. so it's imparative to find another motorist, to give a motorist eye view.

I wounder how that I'll work out. If we're lucky it end up in front of a jury of motorist to give their "impartial" view.

Motorists also ride bikes, cyclists drive cars. It's not black and white.

Avatar
OnTheRopes replied to Beaufort | 9 years ago
0 likes
Beaufort wrote:
Housecathst wrote:

So let me guess, I'm sure the two other cyclists would have given an account of "incident". But they clearly wouldnt be considered impartial. so it's imparative to find another motorist, to give a motorist eye view.

I wounder how that I'll work out. If we're lucky it end up in front of a jury of motorist to give their "impartial" view.

Motorists also ride bikes, cyclists drive cars. It's not black and white.

I think there was possibly some tongue in cheek there referring back to a recent case?

Avatar
Housecathst replied to OnTheRopes | 9 years ago
0 likes
OnTheRopes wrote:
Beaufort wrote:
Housecathst wrote:

So let me guess, I'm sure the two other cyclists would have given an account of "incident". But they clearly wouldnt be considered impartial. so it's imparative to find another motorist, to give a motorist eye view.

I wounder how that I'll work out. If we're lucky it end up in front of a jury of motorist to give their "impartial" view.

Motorists also ride bikes, cyclists drive cars. It's not black and white.

I think there was possibly some tongue in cheek there referring back to a recent case?

(Tonge very much in cheek)

That being said, 2% of traffic on the roads are cyclists. Most motorist are JUST motorists.

Avatar
portec replied to Beaufort | 9 years ago
0 likes
Beaufort wrote:
Housecathst wrote:

So let me guess, I'm sure the two other cyclists would have given an account of "incident". But they clearly wouldnt be considered impartial. so it's imparative to find another motorist, to give a motorist eye view.

I wounder how that I'll work out. If we're lucky it end up in front of a jury of motorist to give their "impartial" view.

Motorists also ride bikes, cyclists drive cars. It's not black and white.

Statistically nearly all cyclists drive cars but few motorists ride bikes. To be fair it's not totally black and white but it is fairly one-sided.

Avatar
cbrndc replied to Housecathst | 9 years ago
0 likes
Housecathst wrote:

So let me guess, I'm sure the two other cyclists would have given an account of "incident". But they clearly wouldnt be considered impartial. so it's imparative to find another motorist, to give a motorist eye view.

I wounder how that I'll work out. If we're lucky it end up in front of a jury of motorist to give their "impartial" view.

My thoughts were the same as soon as I read the article; no tongue in cheek 45

Latest Comments