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Cyclist dies in Glasgow hospital following collision with van - police appeal for witnessespolice line (CC licensed by hugovk_Flickr)

Cyclist dies in Glasgow hospital following collision with van - police appeal for witnesses

Family and friends have paid tribute to grandfather and accomplished veteran club cyclist
by Laura Laker
Sun, Jul 12, 2015 16:41
6

A man has died in hospital following injuries sustained when he was hit by a van while cycling in Irvine, North Ayrshire on Thursday, and police have made an appeal for witnesses.

George O'Hara, from Prestwick, was seriously injured after the collision with the van on the northbound A78 at 09.40 on Thursday, and died at the Queen Elizabeth University Hospital in Glasgow the following day.

Friends and family have paid tribute to 68-year-old O'Hara, whom they describe as an "accomplished cyclist" and "one of the all time greats" of his cycling club of 50 years, the Ivy.

The family statement said: "George was a recognised published author and an accomplished cyclist.

"He enjoyed racing and riding his bike for over 50 years and achieved many race victories, some at national level.

"He is admired in the cycling community for holding the record for cycling from Glasgow to Oban and back in under nine hours which stood for over 18 years."

The driver of the silver Vauxhaull Morvano, a 40 year old male, and his 37-year-old passenger, were uninjured in the collision.

Police ask anyone who witnessed the crash, or who has any information, to call 101. Sergeant Andy Johnston, of the Irvine divisional road policing unit, is leading the investigation.

One fellow Ivy CC rider described him as "one of the all time greats of the Ivy, with a satirical view on life. A creative thinker." 

Ivy.cc
Irvine
Glasgow
Fatality
Laura Laker

Laura Laker is a freelance journalist with more than a decade’s experience covering cycling, walking and wheeling (and other means of transport). Beginning her career with road.cc, Laura has also written for national and specialist titles of all stripes. One part of the popular Streets Ahead podcast, she sometimes appears as a talking head on TV and radio, and in real life at conferences and festivals. She is also the author of Potholes and Pavements: a Bumpy Ride on Britain’s National Cycle Network.

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6 comments

Avatar
Bigfoz | 9 years ago
0 likes

Ah, Irvine, that well known suburb of Glasgow.

About as close as St Albans is to London...

Avatar
davenportmb | 9 years ago
0 likes

Any chance you guys could spend a few quid on a wider variety of stock imagery?

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Bob's Bikes | 9 years ago
0 likes

I will not comment on whose fault this incident was but, unless witnesses come forward the driver's version of events (whether true or false) will be taken as fact.

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felixcat replied to Bob's Bikes | 9 years ago
0 likes

There is an acronym for that.

SWSS

Single Witness Suicide Swerve.

Likewise no comment intended on this particular case.

Avatar
SteppenHerring | 9 years ago
0 likes

The driver of the silver Vauxhaull Morvano, a 40 year old male, and his 37-year-old passenger, were uninjured in the collision.

Thank fuck for that. I thought for a moment the driver might've dropped his phone*

*This is a satirical comment about van drivers in general and not intended to prejudice the case.

Avatar
Airzound | 9 years ago
0 likes

So how come the driver hasn't been arrested on suspicion of causing death by careless or dangerous driving?

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