Teen cyclist back to pedalling four years after he was left for dead by drink driver
Kiernan Roberts was left with a fractured skull and broken neck after he was run down by driver Owen Finn
A teenage cyclists is back to pedalling four years after he was left for dead in the road by a drink driver.
Kieran Roberts was 16 years old when he was knocked down by driver Owen Finn in 2016, a crash that left him with severe injuries to his head and neck.
After under-going three life-saving operations and spending nine months in hospital Kiernan, now aged 19, has been able to ride a static bike for the first time, the Metro newspaper reports.
His mum, Marie, said: “Kiernan has always had a positive attitude towards his recovery and has continually focused on what he can achieve rather than focus on what he has lost.”
Kiernan was cycling home from his part-time job at a café in South Cave near Hull when businessman Finn,64, hit him with his Mercedes.
Finn, who was more than two-times over the drink-drive limit, left Kiernan in the middle of the road. He was later sentenced to three years in prison at Hull Crown Court in 2017.
Kiernan was able to return home in 2017, but could barely walk due to his injuries but having undergone extensive physiotherapy, he can now walk and ride a static bike.
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He now wants to continue his recovery by riding a bike on a closed circuit away from traffic.
Last month, Cycling Weekly reported on the death of a cyclist and NHS nurse who was hit by a van driver.
James Harrison, 36, was struck as he rode his bike through Edinburgh on the morning of Thursday, June 25.
The dad-of-two was rushed to hospital but later died from his injuries.
The crash happened at around 8.45am on Mount Vernon Road in Edinburg, when Mr Harrison was struck by the driver of a Mercedes Sprinter van at the crossroads with Gilmerton Road and Kingston Avenue.
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Police said the driver was not injured.
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Alex Ballinger is editor of BikeBiz magazine, the leading publication for the UK cycle industry, and is the former digital news editor for CyclingWeekly.com. After gaining experience in local newsrooms, national newspapers and in digital journalism, Alex found his calling in cycling, first as a reporter, then as news editor responsible for Cycling Weekly's online news output, and now as the editor of BikeBiz. Since pro cycling first captured his heart during the 2010 Tour de France (specifically the Contador-Schleck battle) Alex covered three Tours de France, multiple editions of the Tour of Britain, and the World Championships, while both writing and video presenting for Cycling Weekly. He also specialises in fitness writing, often throwing himself into the deep end to help readers improve their own power numbers. Away from the desk, Alex can be found racing time trials, riding BMX and mountain bikes, or exploring off-road on his gravel bike. He’s also an avid gamer, and can usually be found buried in an eclectic selection of books.
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