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Rossendale cyclist still critical after A56 accident

6:30pm Friday 12th February 2010 in


A CYCLIST who fell from his bike on the A56 remains critically ill in hospital.

Barry Fitton, 49, of Stacksteads, was cycling north along the bypass on his way to work at the Department for Work and Pensions, in Simonstone, when the accident happened on Monday morning.

Police are investigating how he came to fall from his bike, but have said they do not believe any other vehicles were involved.

Witnesses have said he was not hit by a car and there were no potholes close to where he came off.

They believe he was not wearing a helmet at the time.

Mr Fitton has undergone an operation at Royal Preston Hospital after suffering severe head injuries and remains in a ‘critical’ condition.

Witnesses who may have seen Mr Fitton cycling prior to his fall should contact the road policing unit on 01254 353210.

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Comments(15)

burner says...
3:29pm Mon 8 Feb 10

This is sad and I hope there is a speedy recovery but when will folk realise that you simply cannot use a 19th century invention on any 21st century road system. Sad.

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happycyclist says...
4:41pm Mon 8 Feb 10

And all the pedestrians killed by motorists, burner...?

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disgusted tunbridge wells says...
6:01pm Mon 8 Feb 10

Let's hope for a full recovery but the A56 is in reality a motorway and bicycles should be banned, I can think of four cyclists deaths on this road

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madame helga says...
6:09pm Mon 8 Feb 10

I work with this man, we have been advised later today the he in fact suffered a brain haemorrhage whist cycling to work. I truely hope he makes a full recovery and everyone wishes him well.

Burner, perhaps try to be a little more sympathetic to people injured on the roads!

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Sheffield_Tiger says...
7:07pm Mon 8 Feb 10

burner wrote:
This is sad and I hope there is a speedy recovery but when will folk realise that you simply cannot use a 19th century invention on any 21st century road system. Sad.
Which 19th century invention would that be burner? Are you referring to the invention of the automobile? (1885)

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burner says...
7:22pm Mon 8 Feb 10

Helga, I am truly sorry for this unfortunate incident. God speed a full recovery.
.
to some others, . . I think you are being deliberately obtuse. You know full well what is implied, you cannot infer I meant otherwise. Cyclists select to share the road for an entire journey, collisions between motors and pedestrians occur when the pedestrian is on the carriageway at an inopportune moment in time - unless, of course, there is a case of recklessness. That happens.

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jcd62 says...
7:40am Tue 9 Feb 10

My 18 yr old son stopped to administer first aid to this chap waiting until the ambulance arrived then continuing onto work - he's most concerned to know how this man is recovering ?/

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LadyB28 says...
9:52am Tue 9 Feb 10

This is sad and I hope there is a speedy recovery but when will folk realise that you simply cannot use a 19th century invention on any 21st century road system. Sad.

What has the 21st century road system (as you put it) got anything to do with this poor guy falling off his bike. He wasnt in a collision nor did he hit any potholoes. The guy simply fell off his bike (due to a brain hemorage as we now know). No matter what kind of road he fell on, in this case he would still have had the same injuries.

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madame helga says...
5:52pm Tue 9 Feb 10

I'm sure everyone who knows this man will be very grateful to the 18 year old who stopped to help with first aid. The man at the moment is stable but in a critical condition. This is the only update we have had so far.

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manster says...
7:26pm Tue 9 Feb 10

my partner stopped to help also, i know she is very keen to find out how the gentleman is. we both wish him all the best and would appreciate updates on his condition.

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happycyclist says...
1:09pm Wed 10 Feb 10

It's nice to hear that people are still prepared to stop for things like this. A couple of years ago I came off my bike when my pedal snapped off. I lay there in the middle of the road dazed and blooded for about 30 seconds and at least half a dozen cars just drove around me. Sort of makes you lose faith in humanity when you experience something like that -so thanks jcd62 and manster for reminding me that there are still some decent people out there.

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Ian_G says...
2:29pm Wed 10 Feb 10

I feel very sorry for Mr Sitton and his family and friends. Whenever someone is seriously ill in hospital it is a horrendous thing to endure for all involved. i really hope he recovers fully.


I think Burner made a vaild point and I am not in any way directing any criticism at Mr Sitton as it appears his condition is the result of a medical condition but cycles should not be allowed on roads such as this stretch of the A56.


It is effectively a motorway and vehicles of all sizes travelling at speeds of up to 70mph (and often higher) cause massive problems for cyclists, not least of which is the turbulance which may destabilise them.


Dual carriageways like the A56 such be reclassified as motorways and slow vulnerable vehicles should not be allowed, nor should vehicles be allowed to cross the lanes of traffic to turn.

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mys says...
5:34pm Wed 10 Feb 10

hope he makes a full and speedy recovery god bless him xx

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madame helga says...
5:54pm Wed 10 Feb 10

It's Barry Fitton, not Sitton. And i'm sure he and his family will appreciate the kind thoughts from everyone.

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the hairy sheep says...
10:34am Thu 11 Feb 10

madame helga... And Im sure Mr Fitton and his family appreciate you posting what you think is wrong with him or what caused the accident without really knowing. Also as a friend of his, I know that as I wasnt family, I was unable to find out how he was from the hospital - so am unsure how you could know for definate?

I wish Mr Fitton a full and speedy recovery and whether or not we think he should have been cycling on such a busy stretch - it doesnt take away from the fact we wish him well.

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