Cyclist killed in Burcot crash

11:38am Thursday 26th March 2009 in Witney By George Hamilton

A cyclist was killed in an accident on the A415 in Abingdon Road, Burcot, last night.

The 39-year-old man died after colliding with a blue Audi A3 outside the Chequers pub.

He died at the scene of the accident at about 9pm.

PC Gary French of Abingdon roads policing department said: “Although the traffic at this time of the evening was light, there were still people who might have seen the collision, or the cyclist and Audi before it happened.

“I am also appealing for anyone who might have been in the Chequers pub who might have some information to help with my investigation to get in touch.”

Anyone with information has been asked to call police on 08458 505505 or Crimestoppers anonymously on 0800 555111.

Comments (18)

1:02pm Thu 26 Mar 09

erik256 says...

im confused, i thought there was a cycle path down that road?
im confused, i thought there was a cycle path down that road? erik256

2:32pm Thu 26 Mar 09

Doug_L says...

You are correct, there is a cycle path all the way down that road, most of which is still relatively new and very smooth to cycle on. There is also a 30mph speed limit all the way between Clifton Hampden and where the A415 becomes the Abingdon Rd at the Berinsfield end. Given these two facts, it makes the death of yet another cyclist on our roads seem totally unnecessary and sad. What a pointless loss of life that should never have happened.
Irrespective of who was at fault in this particular case, I only wish we could ALL grow up and start going about our daily lives in a more responsible, mature and considerate manner. My condolences go out to the families and friends of both parties involved in this incident.
You are correct, there is a cycle path all the way down that road, most of which is still relatively new and very smooth to cycle on. There is also a 30mph speed limit all the way between Clifton Hampden and where the A415 becomes the Abingdon Rd at the Berinsfield end. Given these two facts, it makes the death of yet another cyclist on our roads seem totally unnecessary and sad. What a pointless loss of life that should never have happened. Irrespective of who was at fault in this particular case, I only wish we could ALL grow up and start going about our daily lives in a more responsible, mature and considerate manner. My condolences go out to the families and friends of both parties involved in this incident. Doug_L

8:02am Fri 27 Mar 09

anon and on says...

Twice since this happened I have been driving past the spot where the incident occoured at the 30mph speed linit on my small motor bike and both times at this exact spot I have been overtaken by car drivers does this not tell you something?
Twice since this happened I have been driving past the spot where the incident occoured at the 30mph speed linit on my small motor bike and both times at this exact spot I have been overtaken by car drivers does this not tell you something? anon and on

8:29am Fri 27 Mar 09

Ihatemarmite says...

I travel this road every day and it is lethal. If you go 30mph you get a huge queue of angry drivers behind you. Also have never seen any speed traps there, they would make a fortune!
I travel this road every day and it is lethal. If you go 30mph you get a huge queue of angry drivers behind you. Also have never seen any speed traps there, they would make a fortune! Ihatemarmite

9:19am Fri 27 Mar 09

anon and on says...

Well perhaps they need to look weather the limit on this road is correct or should it be raised? either way it should be enforced.
Well perhaps they need to look weather the limit on this road is correct or should it be raised? either way it should be enforced. anon and on

9:32am Fri 27 Mar 09

Danny A says...

Raise the limit? The limit is 30 because it is a village where people live and wander to the pub etc. etc. If anything the limit should be lowered right the way along the A415 AND enforced. Pushing vulnerable road users off the road so that drivers can
speed or drive carelessly without consequence is no solution!
Raise the limit? The limit is 30 because it is a village where people live and wander to the pub etc. etc. If anything the limit should be lowered right the way along the A415 AND enforced. Pushing vulnerable road users off the road so that drivers can speed or drive carelessly without consequence is no solution! Danny A

11:54am Fri 27 Mar 09

anon and on says...

No quite what I ment being one of the vunerable road users (car drivers never seem to notice / care about people on two wheels of any discription) you talk about I was simply raising the question that there are parts of the 30mph zone that are not within the village so therefore could the limit be raised in these parts.
No quite what I ment being one of the vunerable road users (car drivers never seem to notice / care about people on two wheels of any discription) you talk about I was simply raising the question that there are parts of the 30mph zone that are not within the village so therefore could the limit be raised in these parts. anon and on

11:59am Fri 27 Mar 09

monkey_tennis says...

Let us not forget the fact that a tragic death has occurred, however the 30mph limit on this road is ridiculous, 40mph would be more than adequete. Yes it is a village, however the majority of houses in this village are set back at least 20-30 metres from the road, it is a main road, there are footpaths, and there are cyclepaths which should (in theory) avoided cars and bicycles colliding. In response to Danny A, Headington. Driving fast does not necessarily constitute driving carelessly. I do not drive and am a cyclist, however even I feel that the 30 limit on this road is silly and more likely to cost more lives than are actually saved.
Let us not forget the fact that a tragic death has occurred, however the 30mph limit on this road is ridiculous, 40mph would be more than adequete. Yes it is a village, however the majority of houses in this village are set back at least 20-30 metres from the road, it is a main road, there are footpaths, and there are cyclepaths which should (in theory) avoided cars and bicycles colliding. In response to Danny A, Headington. Driving fast does not necessarily constitute driving carelessly. I do not drive and am a cyclist, however even I feel that the 30 limit on this road is silly and more likely to cost more lives than are actually saved. monkey_tennis

12:14pm Fri 27 Mar 09

chris_dorchester says...

There is only a cycle path on one side of the road - opposite the pub. The accident seems to have happened on the side where the pub is. Maybe the cyclist tried to cross the street to get to the cycle path?
The 30mph speed limit is indeed completely inadequate (except maybe in the particular stretch around the pub where the accident happened, where houses are indeed close to the road). As far as I have read, it was introduced against the advice of Thames Valley Police. which is probably why it isn't enforced much.
There is only a cycle path on one side of the road - opposite the pub. The accident seems to have happened on the side where the pub is. Maybe the cyclist tried to cross the street to get to the cycle path? The 30mph speed limit is indeed completely inadequate (except maybe in the particular stretch around the pub where the accident happened, where houses are indeed close to the road). As far as I have read, it was introduced against the advice of Thames Valley Police. which is probably why it isn't enforced much. chris_dorchester

1:18pm Fri 27 Mar 09

Danny A says...

Indeed driving fast and driving carelessly are not necessarily the same. However many "accidents" are caused by drivers not paying attention and the consequences of not paying attention at 40mph are worse than at 30mph. This incident is clearly a tragedy and we do not know the details, however I do believe that decreasing the likelyhood of further deaths would be better served by inforcing the limit rather than raising the limit on the grounds that it is widely flouted.
Indeed driving fast and driving carelessly are not necessarily the same. However many "accidents" are caused by drivers not paying attention and the consequences of not paying attention at 40mph are worse than at 30mph. This incident is clearly a tragedy and we do not know the details, however I do believe that decreasing the likelyhood of further deaths would be better served by inforcing the limit rather than raising the limit on the grounds that it is widely flouted. Danny A

2:16pm Fri 27 Mar 09

helenjbottomley says...

Children live either side of the 415 and use the cyclepath regularly. They don't always judge their road crossing or cycle line correctly and raising the speed limit to 40 miles/hour would increase the risk they face. With the current 30mph limit much of the already traffic travels at 40-50mph, with a 40 mph limit, 50+ would become the norm.

My heart goes out to the family of the man killed in this accident. I hope the police will now enforce the 30mph speed limit and not wait for another death.
Children live either side of the 415 and use the cyclepath regularly. They don't always judge their road crossing or cycle line correctly and raising the speed limit to 40 miles/hour would increase the risk they face. With the current 30mph limit much of the already traffic travels at 40-50mph, with a 40 mph limit, 50+ would become the norm. My heart goes out to the family of the man killed in this accident. I hope the police will now enforce the 30mph speed limit and not wait for another death. helenjbottomley

2:22pm Fri 27 Mar 09

old zimmer says...

Helen. Think of the children,and campaign for a 5mph speed limit and fatalities would be cut to zero.
Helen. Think of the children,and campaign for a 5mph speed limit and fatalities would be cut to zero. old zimmer

3:02pm Fri 27 Mar 09

redstone says...

Over the years the speed limit along this road has dropped from the national speed limit of 60 to 50 and now 30 - has the accident rate dropped to match? Doubt it! The footpath/cycle track has also been substantially improved. 30 limit is too low.Traffic lights have also been introduced at C/Hampden to slow traffic.
Over the years the speed limit along this road has dropped from the national speed limit of 60 to 50 and now 30 - has the accident rate dropped to match? Doubt it! The footpath/cycle track has also been substantially improved. 30 limit is too low.Traffic lights have also been introduced at C/Hampden to slow traffic. redstone

11:32pm Fri 27 Mar 09

Shazza25 says...

to all who have commented I worked with the man in question & my heart goes out to his wife & 6mth old baby. He was on his way to work at the nursing home next to the chequers pub. I don't agree with increasing the speed limit as not only is there children but there is a nursing home with people coming out all the time whether walking, driving or cycling. Road users need to be aware of this & think when they are driving AM I GOING TO FAST. The whole of my work friends from the nursing home are very upset by what has happened. My thoughts are with the family. I also think the bravery of a few members of staff who sat with him until he passed over was very brave indeed. So please slow down, concentrate on the road but also on cyclist & walkers. Cyclist please put lights on & reflective clothing, stick to the cycle paths. Don't let another accident like this happen.
to all who have commented I worked with the man in question & my heart goes out to his wife & 6mth old baby. He was on his way to work at the nursing home next to the chequers pub. I don't agree with increasing the speed limit as not only is there children but there is a nursing home with people coming out all the time whether walking, driving or cycling. Road users need to be aware of this & think when they are driving AM I GOING TO FAST. The whole of my work friends from the nursing home are very upset by what has happened. My thoughts are with the family. I also think the bravery of a few members of staff who sat with him until he passed over was very brave indeed. So please slow down, concentrate on the road but also on cyclist & walkers. Cyclist please put lights on & reflective clothing, stick to the cycle paths. Don't let another accident like this happen. Shazza25

9:19am Sat 28 Mar 09

Sensible Speed says...

This is a truly sad event – the family details above make it all the more so. We live nearby and, even in the aftermath, the mood in the village is sombre. There are a fair number of children living within 100-200 metres of this tragic road fatality, and you can’t help wonder if there is another waiting to happen.

Generally speaking, what does it take to have a mobile speed enforcement unit patrol a particular stretch of road?

The A415 through Burcot seems a prime stretch of road, with the regular flouting of the speed limit, the lorries coming through (mostly all above 30 m.p.h.) and the motorcycle processions throughout the weekends. I don’t know that enforcement would have saved the cyclist – but any uptick in speed compliance would increase safety.
This is a truly sad event – the family details above make it all the more so. We live nearby and, even in the aftermath, the mood in the village is sombre. There are a fair number of children living within 100-200 metres of this tragic road fatality, and you can’t help wonder if there is another waiting to happen. Generally speaking, what does it take to have a mobile speed enforcement unit patrol a particular stretch of road? The A415 through Burcot seems a prime stretch of road, with the regular flouting of the speed limit, the lorries coming through (mostly all above 30 m.p.h.) and the motorcycle processions throughout the weekends. I don’t know that enforcement would have saved the cyclist – but any uptick in speed compliance would increase safety. Sensible Speed

10:49pm Sat 28 Mar 09

JamieFu says...

I am driving through this road every night and morning and i have to say if you want this road safer, make sure they put street light in there so you can actualy see. It is not about the limit, its up to people, not paying attention, overspeeding, mind you this was an accident, noone planed it but this things happen EVERY day and EVERYWHERE. Speed limin on this road is just silly, and if we was supose to drive there any slower, you might as well close the road and use it as cyclist path??? There is no information about this accident, like was it cyclist fault or the drivers? Probably noone will know. All i know it was AN accident.... Drive with your eyes open and pay attention please, thats what makes roads safer....
I am driving through this road every night and morning and i have to say if you want this road safer, make sure they put street light in there so you can actualy see. It is not about the limit, its up to people, not paying attention, overspeeding, mind you this was an accident, noone planed it but this things happen EVERY day and EVERYWHERE. Speed limin on this road is just silly, and if we was supose to drive there any slower, you might as well close the road and use it as cyclist path??? There is no information about this accident, like was it cyclist fault or the drivers? Probably noone will know. All i know it was AN accident.... Drive with your eyes open and pay attention please, thats what makes roads safer.... JamieFu

6:20pm Sun 29 Mar 09

Sensible Speed says...

Has there been follow-up information anywhere on the fatal accident inquiry? I haven't seen anything in the paper or on the Thames Valley Police website. There was an allegation of hit and run -- and I am interested to know if the police had made any progress.
Has there been follow-up information anywhere on the fatal accident inquiry? I haven't seen anything in the paper or on the Thames Valley Police website. There was an allegation of hit and run -- and I am interested to know if the police had made any progress. Sensible Speed

10:45pm Sun 29 Mar 09

burro says...

Let us wait and see the outcome of police enquiries to see what the circumstances were and who, if anyone was to blame. I can tell you having picked up many of the pieces following an accident, at times due to excessive speed, had they been driving slower it would not have been fatal, or indeed happened at all. Having said that, the speed limit from Clifton Hampden to the main built up area of the village is ridiculas in my view, I too try to stick to it religously, but there are many cars, vans and lorries that speed pass. It should either be there and enforced or taken away. My condolences to the victims family
Let us wait and see the outcome of police enquiries to see what the circumstances were and who, if anyone was to blame. I can tell you having picked up many of the pieces following an accident, at times due to excessive speed, had they been driving slower it would not have been fatal, or indeed happened at all. Having said that, the speed limit from Clifton Hampden to the main built up area of the village is ridiculas in my view, I too try to stick to it religously, but there are many cars, vans and lorries that speed pass. It should either be there and enforced or taken away. My condolences to the victims family burro

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