I can relate

MAN, 76, BADLY HURT IN FALL FROM BICYCLE
Published on 03/06/2004


By Nick Griffiths

AN ELDERLY Carlisle cyclist is in hospital with serious head injuries after falling from his bicycle when it clipped a kerb.

Terry Johnston, 76, of Morton, is being treated in Newcastle after hitting his head and breaking his leg when he plunged from his cycle on the A66 at the weekend.

Mr Johnston, an experienced cyclist who is the oldest member of the Carlisle-based Border City Wheelers Club, crashed near Braithwaite, Keswick, on Sunday.

The father-of-six was taking part in a Bank Holiday club race from Cockermouth to Keswick when the accident happened.

He was wearing a helmet at the time of the smash.

Other cyclists came to the aid of Mr Johnston, who is a grandfather, after his fall at 9.30am.

Police and paramedics attended and Mr Johnston was taken by ambulance to the West Cumberland Hospital in Whitehaven.

But despite being conscious, he was heavily concussed and he was later transferred to Newcastle General Hospital. He was in the hospital’s high dependency unit today.

His partner Evelyn Pagan said: “It has been a nightmare. He has got very bad bruising and swelling of the brain.”

Club secretary Carol Westmorland said the thoughts of everyone associated with the Border City Wheelers were with Mr Johnston and his family.

“Terry is a big part of the Border City Wheelers,” she said.

“He has been a member of the club for many years.

“It goes without saying that we wish him all the best.”