News

Cyclist who was seriously injured near Tenby is now supporting Road Safety Week

Published

6 years ago

November 15, 2018

A PE TEACHER has spoken for the first time of her battle to overcome serious injuries she suffered when a driver turned across the path of her bicycle.

Keen cyclist Victoria Gibson suffered a catalogue of injuries including a traumatic brain injury, spinal fractures, a fractured eye socket as well as a broken ankle in the crash which happened near Tenby, when she was training for the Ironman competition.

A group of off-duty soldiers came to her help and administered first aid before emergency services arrived. The 43-year-old, of Wookey Hole, Somerset, spent nearly two weeks in an induced coma in intensive care after she was airlifted to hospital.

Following the collision, Victoria instructed specialist serious injury lawyers at Irwin Mitchell to help investigate the incident. Irwin Mitchell has now secured her a six-figure settlement to help fund the specialist therapies and rehabilitation Victoria requires to help her overcome her injuries.

Victoria has now joined her legal team at Irwin Mitchell in using Road Safety Week to urge motorists to be aware of cyclists on the roads.

Georgina Moorhead, an expert serious injury lawyer at Irwin Mitchell representing Victoria and her husband Tom 40, said: “Victoria has made tremendous progress but still faces many challenges with her injuries likely to affect her for the rest of her life.

“Through our work, we often see the consequences of what can happen when vulnerable road users, such as cyclists, are involved in collisions.

“Road Safety Week is an important time to reflect on the responsibility that all of us have to keep ourselves and others safe from harm on the road.”

Victoria was taking part in a long course cycling event on July 8, 2017. She was travelling on the A4139 near Tenby, Wales, when she collided with a car which was travelling in the opposite direction.

Victoria was taken by air ambulance to University Hospital of Wales in Cardiff.

Her injuries meant she had to step down from her role as head of PE at Crispin School and now works part-time.

While Victoria has been able to take up sport again, she has not been able to reach her pre-injury level due to continued struggles with fatigue. Victoria also recently had issues with damage to her teeth, as well as problems with her vision and speech.

Following legal investigations, the motorist’s insurance company admitted that the driver turned right across Victoria’s path without properly checking that the way was clear.

Victoria said: “It has been an incredibly difficult year trying to come to terms with not only the circumstances of the incident but also the impact it has had on my life.

“The injuries I suffered have affected all aspects of my life, from work to my ability to participate in sport. I was training for an ironman competition when the crash happened and it is hard to take that I may never reach the same level of performance.

“The support I have had from family and friends has really helped. I’m trying to stay positive and move forward with my life but no one should have to go through what I have.

“It is vital that road users do everything they can to keep each other safe.”

Road Safety Week runs from 19-25 November. This year’s ‘Bike Safe’ theme aims to reduce the number of cyclists and motorcyclist killed or injured on the roads.

In 2016 there were 18,477 cyclist casualties and 19,297 motorcyclist casualties, according to the Department for Transport.

Community

Tractor run lights up Pembrokeshire and raises funds for charity

Published

22 hours ago

December 21, 2024

Tom Sinclair

THE PEMBROKESHIRE ILLUMINATED TRACTOR RUN took place today (Dec 21), raising funds for two vital charities: the Catrin Vaughan Foundation and Wales Air Ambulance.

Starting at Clarbeston Road AFC at 6:00pm, the brightly lit convoy of nearly 200 tractors made its way through Withybush Hospital and Haverfordwest High Street before finishing at the Pembrokeshire County Showground.

The annual event has become a highlight of the festive calendar, drawing large crowds to witness the spectacle of tractors adorned with colourful lights and decorations.

Funds raised from the event will support the Catrin Vaughan Foundation, which provides crucial assistance to families facing hardship, and the Wales Air Ambulance, delivering life-saving emergency medical care across the region.

Organisers praised the dedication of local farmers and volunteers, whose commitment ensures the event’s continued success year after year.

(Image: Nia Marshall/Facebook)

Business

Ferry Terminal ‘extremely busy’ due to ongoing Holyhead closure

Published

1 day ago

December 21, 2024

Tom Sinclair

PEMBROKE DOCK Ferry Terminal has been experiencing significant congestion today as ferry services remain under immense pressure following the closure of Holyhead Port earlier this month.

The disruption, caused by storm damage, has rerouted ferry traffic through Pembrokeshire, leading to long queues and crowded facilities at the terminal.

The Herald can confirm that it has been very busy today with cars, lorries, and foot passengers queuing in large numbers. Staff are working tirelessly to manage the influx, directing vehicles and assisting passengers as they prepare to board the heavily booked ferries.

A spokesperson for the Port of Milford Haven said: “We are working closely with ferry operators and local authorities to ensure traffic flows as smoothly as possible, but the sheer volume of vehicles is causing unavoidable delays.”

Travelers are being urged to arrive early for their sailings and to remain patient as the terminal operates at full capacity.

Both Stena Line and Irish Ferries have increased capacity on their Pembrokeshire routes, deploying larger vessels, including the Stena Adventurer and the MV James Joyce, to handle the surge in demand.

From our position at the terminal, our photographer has captured photos showing long lines of vehicles, groups of foot passengers carrying luggage, and port staff coordinating efforts to ease congestion.

Authorities are advising non-essential travelers to consider rescheduling their journeys where possible and to monitor updates from ferry operators closely.

(Photos: Martin Cavaney/Herald)

Community

Festive celebrations at St Davids Cathedral this weekend

Published

1 day ago

December 21, 2024

Tom Sinclair

ST DAVIDS Cathedral is set to host two special events on Sunday (Dec 22), offering a blend of joyful participation and traditional carol singing to mark the Christmas season.

In the morning, families are invited to the Scratch Nativity at 11:00am. Attendees are encouraged to come dressed as wise men, angels, sheep, or shepherds and take part in an unrehearsed retelling of the Christmas story. Canon Leigh described the event as: “Complete, wonderful chaos for an hour… but with some poignant, thought-provoking moments to centre ourselves on the real meaning of Christmas.”

Later in the evening, the Festival of Nine Lessons and Carols by Candlelight will take place at 7:00pm, featuring the Cathedral Choir. The event, steeped in tradition, will see the cathedral bathed in candlelight as carols and scripture readings fill the historic space.

Doors will open at 5:45pm for those seeking unreserved seating, and a large turnout is expected for this beloved Christmas celebration.