Lorry driver who killed cyclist given year's community order and 11 penalty points

A lorry driver who snagged and then crushed a cyclist has been given a year’s community order with 200 hours of unpaid work and 11 penalty points after pleading guilty to causing death by careless driving.

The Bristol Post reports how Clive Keegan was returning his truck to the depot in March last year when he pulled alongside another lorry, effectively blocking the road where scaffolding was being removed from a building.

James Ward OBE, prosecuting, explained how oncoming cyclist, 62-year-old Martyn Bamford, dismounted and attempted to walk his bike through the gap between the two trucks due to the footpath being blocked.

A vehicle plan showed how an 81cm gap at that end narrowed to a 36cm gap at the far end. Bamford attempted to backtrack but caught his jacket on Keegan’s lorry. Keegan then pulled off again without checking his nearside mirror and Bamford was dragged for around ten feet before being crushed under the rear wheel.

"The bike fell away from him and people were yelling for the driver to stop,” said Ward. "Mr Bamford was released from being stuck, he fell to the floor and the nearside rear tyre came into contact with him and killed him instantly."

Brendon Moorhouse, defending, said Keegan had seen Bamford but thought he had gone out of harm's way.

Sentencing, Judge Michael Longman told Keegan:

"The consequences of your driving on that day in March last year were truly tragic. You are an experienced driver. You have driven in a professional manner for years and it is clear you have done so properly and carefully. I have no doubt at all you feel keenly your responsibility and will continue to do so."

After speaking to Bamford’s widow, Keegan said:

"I am devastated for his family. I'm glad I spoke to his wife. She said she is bitter and it is understandable.

"This has been with me for 14 months. I wake up every morning thinking about it and I probably still will. I pleaded guilty because I felt that I was responsible for some of it even though it was an accident."