Sheffield man who suffered ‘life-changing’ injury after bike accident sends warning to cyclists

A Sheffield man who suffered a ‘life-changing’ injury in a bike accident has urged other cyclists to take extra care while out on the roads during lockdown.
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David Keyworth is waiting for an operation after severely breaking his forearm and being told he will lose full functionality in his hand after the accident at Hillsborough corner yesterday (Sunday, May 10).

After the Government announced people are now permitted to take ‘unlimited’ exercise from Wednesday, as well as a £250 million investment to create ‘pop-up’ cycle lanes, David wants to warn other cyclists before they take to the roads.

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“As I was making my way through Hillsborough corner on the bike, I looked up from the tram tracks for a split second to see whether or not bikes were allowed through the tram gate,” he said.

The juction of Middlewood Road, Holme Lane, Langsett Road and Bradfield Road is known locally as 'Hillsborough Corner'.The juction of Middlewood Road, Holme Lane, Langsett Road and Bradfield Road is known locally as 'Hillsborough Corner'.
The juction of Middlewood Road, Holme Lane, Langsett Road and Bradfield Road is known locally as 'Hillsborough Corner'.

“As my wheel got stuck and the tracks must have changed direction for an oncoming tram, I was thrown to the other side of the road and hit a railing.

Luckily David, 50, was wearing a helmet, but said: “Even as I was being treated at the side of the road, I saw so many cyclists go by without helmets on- even families with young kids.

“I had put out my hand to break my fall, and was told I’ll loste full functionality of it. That’s a pretty life-changing thing, really, and I’d hate it to happen to someone else.

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“I don’t need to tell you how dangerous it is to get on a bike without a helmet. It seems to be that because there might be a bit less traffic on the roads due to lockdown, people assume it’s safer. It isn’t.”

David also addressed safety concerns at Hillsborough corner, adding: “A senior doctor stated that so many accidents are being caused by the tram tracks, even involving NHS staff themselves, and has asked me to add my accident to the Cycle Sheffield website.

“If the accident hotspots can be identified, plus the wearing of helmets highlighted, that would be great to protect the public and NHS.

“I have used up valuable time of the NHS whilse they are already under pressure due to the pandemic, which I feel extremely guilty about.”

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