Farmer denies failing to stop tractor after incident at Tour of Pembrokeshire

A farmer has denied failing to stop his tractor at the scene of an accident during last year’s Tour of Pembrokeshire. The cyclist involved, Phillip Withers, said that as Haydn Williams drove past him on a narrow country road, his leg was pinned against his bike by the hay rake that was being towed.

The Western Telegraph reports that Withers, 64, was riding along the Wolfscastle to Tufton road on May 19 towards the back of a group of around 20 riders when they encountered Williams in his tractor, heading in the opposite direction.

Several of the cyclists managed to filter through a small gap on the left hand side of the road, but Williams continued moving forward. Withers said he heard him shouting “get back” from the cab.

“The road was very narrow and the hedges on the side were very steep, very close to the edge of the road,” explained Withers.

He leaned into the hedge but the hay rake was wider than the tractor and pinned his leg against his bike causing him injury. He says Williams drove away.

Defending, Lucie Stoker said that Williams remembered getting out of the vehicle and shouting at the cyclists to move back toward a layby further down the road.

She said he had been unable to reverse himself as another farm vehicle and a 4x4 were occupying a layby or farm entrance behind.

Williams has pleaded not guilty to failing to stop after a road accident, failing to report the accident to police and driving without due care and attention.

The trial is due to continue on Thursday, February 7.