Cyclist knocked unconscious after van hits him at 70mph, driver fined £350

A cyclist was knocked unconscious after being hit by a van travelling at 70mph, with the driver later being fined £350 for the incident.

A video posted by ITV Borders shows the collision in Cumbria, where a car is driving along the outside lane of a dual carriageway, before a cyclist comes into view, and the van passing by too closely.

>>> Cyclist suffers fracture after being thrown from bike by masked motorbike passenger during club ride

The driver of the Mercedes Sprinter van was given six points on his licence and handed a £350 fine, with Cumbria Police releasing the video to show why drivers to give cyclists adequate space when passing them on the road.

In the video, the 62-year-old cyclist can be seen to be taking a drink from a bottle when the van knocked his elbow, before a second impact with the wing mirror threw the cyclist into the carriageway where he lost consciousness.

The cyclist suffered a fractured elbow and multiple lacerations and contusions, while also being left with no memory of the collision.

Police Constable Simon Smith said: "As the van approached the cyclist, the driver made no attempt to slow down or make adjustments to his course. The cyclist suffered serious injuries as a result of the collision.

"Thankfully there was an off-duty constable from Lancashire and an off-duty fireman from Cumbria Fire and Rescue Service were quickly able to come to the man’s aid."

Last week, a cyclist was left with a fracture after he was shoved from his bike by a masked motorbike passenger during a club ride.

Andrew Marsden, 67, needed nine stitches when he was thrown from his bike and left lying in the road. He riding with Cannon Hill Cycle Club in Birmingham on Tuesday (September 17) when he fell victim to the unprovoked attack. Mr Marsden said he was lucky he didn't need a major operation.