Ribble give cyclist new bike to replace one stolen after crash

Lancashire-based Ribble Cycles is to give a cyclist who was seriously injured in a crash a new bicycle after his original one was stolen from the scene as he was being taken to hospital.

Lee Perkins, aged 39, was commuting from his home in Heanor to his work as a project manager in Derby when he hit something in the road and was thrown from his bike, sustaining serious injuries to his face, reports the Derby Telegraph.

Later, his father went to retrieve the bicycle, which had been damaged in the crash last Tuesday, but he was informed by workmen that someone with a van had already collected it.

Now recovering from his injuries, Mr Perkins told the newspaper he was “over the moon” at Ribble’s gesture. Besides the custom bicycle, the firm, based in Preston, will also be giving him a new helmet to replace the one damaged in the crash.

"I am absolutely over the moon, I can't believe it,” he said. “That Ribble bike was the first road bike I ever had and I used it for many years, it was unfaultable. I think it's unbelievable that Ribble have made this offer of a new bike and helmet, it's amazing."

Regarding the theft, he went on: "I couldn't believe it. I was really shocked. I realised that I'd lost my wedding ring too, so finding out the bike had been taken was the final nail in the coffin!

“It's sad that there are people out there who think it's just acceptable to help themselves to things they clearly have no right to, never mind taking advantage of someone else's misfortune," he added.