vol

Tragic ending to round-the-world cycling couple:
Round-the-world UK cyclists killed in Thailand

Quote:
"Supachai said the truck driver, 25-year-old Worapong Sangkhawat, was seriously injured in the crash. He told police his truck hit the cyclists as he was reaching down to pick up a cap from the vehicle's floor, Supachai said."

Apparently, it's more important for some drivers to pick up their dropped cap, or cell phone, or whatever, than ensuring the safety of others and themselves.

P.S. Wonder if they ever visited the bikeforums.

spivonious

I just read this. Sad story. At least they died doing something they loved. The driver is facing up to 10 years in prison.

vol

One of the yahoo comments posted there:

Libertine

redtires

Which, unfortunately, is a lot more than he would get if it had happened here. Bummer story, agreed however that they died doing something they love...and ending that many of us don't get to choose.

toddles

You guys are louts. Keep waging war against auto drivers -- particularly in third world nations. We're far, far off from getting it right in this country. We all know the risks when were out there. A better idea would have been not to assume a driver is not a bumbling idiot and expect him/her to reach for the floor.

ahsposo 

I'll bet they weren't wearing helmets.

vol

There is a brief video here about them, and, indeed, nowhere does it show them wearing helmets! I'm not a helmet person, but I'm surprised by cyclists touring the world without helmets. Wonder if that's how they toured the 23 countries?

RolandArthur

After touring through 23 countries they probably thought they were experienced enough not to topple over at 3 MPH.

kmv2

I bet they didn't have blinky lights

chrismorg

no proof they would have survived WITH a helmet but at least they died happy

CB HI

Bet the guy driving without looking where he was going would have even seen the brightest blinky. So, now we have two threads on this killing of cyclist that wish to shift the blame to the cyclist.

unterhausen

I really think it's in poor taste to try to figure out how these two cyclists could have survived being mowed down by a truck being driven by -- nobody -- because the guy in the drivers seat had his head down by the seat trying to pick up his hat. I'm no doctor, but the likelihood is they died from internal bleeding. That's how most people die from blunt force trauma.

And when I say it's in poor taste, I mean I will delete it.

chrismorg

great point and post

jerseyJim

I understand where you are coming from but I am going to disagree with this sentiment.


I am not saying these two did anything wrong. There is certainly not enough information to make any judgement. But if one person reads one of these cyclist killed threads and makes a change to their riding practices that makes them safer then I feel it is worth all the disfunction present in these threads.

unterhausen

Please start a thread called "what I learned from threads about senseless deaths of cyclists." Don't speculate about it here. Relatives and friends will stumble upon thread like this and I would hope they wouldn't be too appalled.

unterhausen

I said I was going to delete posts like the ones I just deleted.

Commodus

They had such great smiles in every photo. They look so healthy and happy. Makes me want to saddle up and hit the trail. Love the bikes, too. I bet they didn't spend one minute worrying about the suitability of various 'components' while they were pedaling away into adventure.

Damn sad ending though.

Essex

I was thinking (before I even knew this couple died) that riding a bike is inherently a dangerous activity. And possibly reducing time on the road and walking more? Yesterday I was cycling in and around Central Park and NYC's Westside and there were enough mini-happenings to get me to think that it's too much. In a one hour span I had - two cars cut me off. Numerous people squirting in between cars to jaywalk 5-6. Cars that run right up your @$$ and try to move you over to the side and folks too busy to cross on a yellow light to even notice a bike might be approaching. Last bit is some wanker wearing a ermine coat walking directly in the bike path with his arms swinging as if he owns the lane.

I feel bad for the couple as they had more stories to create and tell. Not right, but I've seen enough of these stories over the years to know you take your hands into your own life on a % basis.

chrismorg

unterhausen .....but you allow this post to stay this is a wear a helmet line and you will be safe

10 Wheels

kmv2

were they waring helments

chrismorg

they kinda look like helmets ...............but they cant be because helmets save lives

CbadRider

Enough of the helmet and light debate. Please let these people rest in peace.

Thread closed.