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Driver arrested after sister of Olympic cyclist injured in collision

UK National Trophy Series winner Ffion James said she and her friend were both taken out by the motorist

A driver has been arrested after Ffion James, sister of Olympic track cyclist Becky James was hit on a roundabout in Wales.

South Wales Police confirmed a 49-year-old woman was arrested on suspicion of driving without due care and attention and leaving the scene of an accident.

Ffion said on social media she had been out enjoying the spell of good weather when she and her friend were 'hit by a car on a roundabout'. 

The 23-year-old cyclocross UK National Trophy Series winner and former National Junior Champion is the sister of Olympic track cyclist Becky James.

Becky was the 2013 world sprint and keirin champion and won silver medals at the Rio 2016 Olympics in both events.

Posting on Instagram, Ffion said: "An eventful Tuesday to say the least.

"Enjoying the sun with [Ruby Miller] and next thing we know we’re both on the ground after being hit by a car on a roundabout."

She added that fortunately, the incident hadn't resulted in any serious injuries.

She continued: "Luckily no lasting injuries for both of us, feeling lucky for sure.

"A massive thank you goes to the people who stopped and waited with us while we lay on the floor, along with the paramedics, doctors and police who all did an incredible job and I can’t thank enough.

"Not an experience I want to go through again but one that happens way too often. Thank you for the messages already I am ok just resting and recovering."

A spokesperson for South Wales Police said: "A 49-year-old woman was arrested on suspicion of driving without due care and attention and leaving the scene of an accident.

"The arrest followed a collision between a car and two cyclists at approximately 2pm on 30 March, 2021, on Mafon Road, Nelson.

"The woman has been released under investigation.

"Both cyclists were treated for injuries which were non-life threatening at Prince Charles Hospital."

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 

A post shared by Ffion James (@ffionj97)

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5 comments

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Capercaillie | 3 years ago
0 likes

I'm so glad that both cyclists escaped serious injury and I hope the driver gets taken off the road.

Also I believe that following any conviction for drink driving and subsequent driving ban, "Alcolock" technology should be part of the sentencing. 

https://www.thetimes.co.uk/article/safety-chiefs-call-for-alcohol-locks-...

I would go further and suggest that all drivers should be obliged to use it where possible.

These are devices that force drivers to take a breathalyser test before starting their engine.

If they are over the limit, the car won't start.

The devices are already in use across much of Europe, Australia, Canada and New Zealand.

The drivers themselves have to pay for the cost of installing them.

From 2022 all new cars sold in the EU will need to be compatible but the UK government has yet to make a decision on how this technology will be used.

Avatar
OldRidgeback | 3 years ago
14 likes

The main thing is that the riders are not seriously hurt. If the driver failed a breath test and left the scene of the crash, then those offences by themselves will merit a 12 month ban. Add in the driving without due care and attention charge and the driver will receive 18 points on the licence, or possibly more.

My feeling is that anyone getting more than 12 points in one go should face a compulsory retest before they're allowed their licence back. For people with a high blood alcohol content at the time of arrest, I'd also introduce compulsory blood alcohol retesting before their allowed a licence back, to ensure that people who are alcohol dependent are kept off the road. This is done in Germany and we could do with it here also. 

Avatar
Bungle_52 | 3 years ago
16 likes

Quotes  "The driver left the scene and was later found and failed a roadside breathalyser.

A spokesperson for South Wales Police said: "A 49-year-old woman was arrested on suspicion of driving without due care and attention and leaving the scene of an accident."

1. How can driving while over the limit not be dangerous?

2. Yet another driver chooses to leave an injured cyclist by the side of the road. I wonder if the consequences of this potentially lethal action will deter others? Here's the link to Ryan's Law again which calls for stronger punishments for those who do this.

https://petition.parliament.uk/petitions/575620

54,000 so far. At 100,000 signatures, this petition will be considered for debate in Parliament.

Glad they are both OK. Sounds like it could have been much worse.

Avatar
Awavey | 3 years ago
14 likes

failed a breathalyser test, knocked two cyclists off their bikes leaving them with injuries that required hospital treatment & left the scene of the accident...if the police and courts dont deal with that properly, well what can you say.

hope Ffion and Ruby both recover from their injuries quickly and have no lasting injuries from it, as they both look to have taken a fair old hit.

Avatar
Secret_squirrel | 3 years ago
9 likes

Some nasty cuts and scrapes in the second and third pics.  Glad everyone is ok.  Let's hope there were plenty of witnesses and the cops pursue it...

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