Cycling injury - Rod's story

Rod Bartley, a keen cyclist who cycled up to 500 miles a week, was out on the A550 Hawarden Road in Hope during a training ride from his home in Mold. During his ride a tractor cut in front of him and he went headfirst into the door.

Rod suffered catastrophic injuries to his spine and was airlifted to hospital where he needed life-saving surgery. He was left with tetraplegia after the collision.

Rod's daughter Caroline got in touch with British Cycling who put her in contact with Beth Sanders at Leigh Day who became her main point of contact.

Soon after he was admitted to hospital it was clear that Rod would not be able to return to his home. It was too small for him, his wife and two carers, as well as all the equipment he would need. He spent over three months in rehabilitation.

Beth secured interim payments which meant that Rod was able to move into a specially adapted home as soon as he was discharged from hospital.

Six months after the collision, the tractor driver was convicted of driving without due care and attention. He was fined £80 and given six points on his license.