Police charge motorist in connection with Simon Richardson hit-and-run

South Wales Police have charged a 60-year-old man in connection with the hit-and-run incident near Bridgend last August that left Paralympic champion cyclist Simon Richardson fighting for his life in hospital.

The motorist, who is from Cowbridge in the Vale of Glamorgan, has been charged with dangerous driving, drink-driving and failing to stop after an accident, reports the BBC, and is due to appear before Barry Magistrates next Wednesday, 7 December.

Richardson won of two gold medals and one silver medal at the Paralympic Games in Beijing in 2008, a performance that led to him receiving the MBE.

He is continuing his recovery at home after being released from hospital for the injuries he sustained in the incident, when he was struck by a white van on the A48 near Bridgend.

The 44-year-old has received a huge outpouring of support from the cycling community following the incident, which came ten years after he had been left with no feeling down his left-hand side after being hit by a car while on a club run, which resulted in him entering Paralympian sport.

There is no chance, however, of his defending his titles at London 2012 and the BBC says it is expected to be three years before his recovery from his most recent injuries is complete.

Richardson is using a Wattbike to help with his rehabilitation, and in a blog post published on that company’s website gave an update on his condition.

"I've finally had the all-clear from the pelvic specialist but still need to have an MRI scan and ultrasound to determine why my left leg is getting worse,” he said, adding that he was continuing to see a back specialist and was also working full-time with his physiotherapist.

“I've also been in contact with Professor Alison McConnell who developed the Powerbreathe and I'm hoping to be able to benefit from the expertise of the University of Wales Institute in Cardiff," he added.