A court has been told a “perilous manoeuvre” by a Co Down truck driver led to the death of a cyclist who fell from his bike after being overtaken. The cyclist, on a Sunday ride on his own, died from his injuries five days after being airlifted to hospital from the crash scene.
The trial of truck driver Neil James McVeigh (36) was told he overtook the cyclist by leaving a gap of "50 centimetres or 20 inches" between his truck, with trailer, and the handlebars of the victim's bike as an oncoming vehicle was also on the road.
It is claimed in court Martin Poland (54), a father of one, fell from his bike after the overtaking move on Annalong Road, Kilkeel, Co Down, on Sunday, September 13th, 2020. He had left his home on the bike at 10am and crashed, suffering fatal injuries, at about 1.20pm.
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While Mr Poland was airlifted from the scene to Belfast's Royal Victoria Hospital, where he was placed in an induced coma, he died five days after the crash. He had suffered a fractured skull, bruising and laceration to the brain and eight broken ribs.
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The court yesterday heard evidence that the prosecution was not claiming there was a deliberate aim to harm or kill Mr Poland. Rather, it was claimed the standard of driving “fell far below” what was required and that Mr McVeigh passed Mr Poland too closely, resulting in the crash that proved fatal.
Both Mr Poland and the truck driven by Mr McVeigh were traveling in the same direction when the overtaking move took place. The court heard evidence from a couple in an oncoming vehicle, Chloe and Peter Heelham.
They saw the truck and Mr Poland, who was wearing hi-vis, on his bike. “The driver of the lorry flashed its lights as it made its way towards them and Mrs Heelham will say that the lorry was over the white line on the other side,” prosecuting KC Samuel Magee told the court.
He also said Mrs Heelham pulled over and came to a stop on the grass verge as the truck overtook Mr Poland. As the lorry passed their vehicle, it caused their car to shake. And when they looked back the road, they saw Mr Poland shake on the bike and crash in the immediate aftermath of the overtaking move.
While the lorry driver did not stop, inquiries made by the police connected the vehicle to Mr McVeigh (36), Ballykeel Court, Ballymartin. He said he had no knowledge of the crash or causing a cyclist to fall and denies the charges. The trial of Mr McVeigh, who is accused of causing Mr Poland's death, was continuing at Newry Crown Court.
