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Man with sleep disorder who killed cyclist 'shouldn't have been on road' Man with sleep disorder who killed cyclist 'shouldn't have been on road'
(34 minutes later)
A man with a sleep disorder who knocked over a cyclist causing him fatal injuries had been warned by a medic the day before that he should not drive, a court has heard.A man with a sleep disorder who knocked over a cyclist causing him fatal injuries had been warned by a medic the day before that he should not drive, a court has heard.
Neil Urwin “should not have been on the road” when he hit he struck father of three Andrew Charlton as he was cycling on the A6079 near Chollerford, Northumberland, the jury at Newcastle crown court was told. Neil Urwin “should not have been on the road” when the car he was driving hit father of three Andrew Charlton as he was cycling on the A6079 near Chollerford, Northumberland, the jury at Newcastle crown court was told.
The 56-year-old forklift truck driver from East Acres, Barrasford, suffered from obstructive sleep apnoea, which caused his night-time breathing to be interrupted, and him to wake up. It led to him feeling tired during the day and he sought advice from his GP in the months before the collision.The 56-year-old forklift truck driver from East Acres, Barrasford, suffered from obstructive sleep apnoea, which caused his night-time breathing to be interrupted, and him to wake up. It led to him feeling tired during the day and he sought advice from his GP in the months before the collision.
He saw a specialist at the sleep clinic at Hexham general hospital on 8 August 2014, the day before the crash, and she told him he should not drive, the court heard.He saw a specialist at the sleep clinic at Hexham general hospital on 8 August 2014, the day before the crash, and she told him he should not drive, the court heard.
He was also handed a DVLA leaflet called Tiredness Can Kill Advice for Drivers, Richard Bennett, prosecuting, said.He was also handed a DVLA leaflet called Tiredness Can Kill Advice for Drivers, Richard Bennett, prosecuting, said.
But Urwin chose to head out the next day in his new Ford Fiesta to go fishing in Rothbury. On his way back that afternoon, while driving at 50-55mph on a straight section of the A6079, he hit the back of Charlton’s bike, sending him on to the bonnet and over the back of the car.But Urwin chose to head out the next day in his new Ford Fiesta to go fishing in Rothbury. On his way back that afternoon, while driving at 50-55mph on a straight section of the A6079, he hit the back of Charlton’s bike, sending him on to the bonnet and over the back of the car.
He was flown to the Royal Victoria infirmary in Newcastle but died, having suffered catastrophic brain injuries, Bennett said.He was flown to the Royal Victoria infirmary in Newcastle but died, having suffered catastrophic brain injuries, Bennett said.
Urwin has admitted causing death by careless driving but denies the more serious charge of causing death by dangerous driving.Urwin has admitted causing death by careless driving but denies the more serious charge of causing death by dangerous driving.
Bennett said: “He should not have been on the road at all on August 9 2014.”Bennett said: “He should not have been on the road at all on August 9 2014.”
The section of road gave the driver a 327-metre unrestricted view before the point of impact, the court heard. There were no skid marks on the road or signs of emergency braking before the crash.The section of road gave the driver a 327-metre unrestricted view before the point of impact, the court heard. There were no skid marks on the road or signs of emergency braking before the crash.
Urwin was to tell police he saw Charlton two to three car lengths ahead of him. He demonstrated he gave the cyclist a 54cm space as he went past him in the car.Urwin was to tell police he saw Charlton two to three car lengths ahead of him. He demonstrated he gave the cyclist a 54cm space as he went past him in the car.
Bennett said: “The defendant was dangerously close for no good reason.” He could not explain why he had not spotted Charlton before that moment, the court heard.Bennett said: “The defendant was dangerously close for no good reason.” He could not explain why he had not spotted Charlton before that moment, the court heard.
Bennett said: “Either Mr Urwin was nodding off at the wheel before he saw Mr Charlton at the last minute or he was simply so tired he was not able to concentrate properly as he drove along the road.Bennett said: “Either Mr Urwin was nodding off at the wheel before he saw Mr Charlton at the last minute or he was simply so tired he was not able to concentrate properly as he drove along the road.
In short, the prosecution says the defendant’s driving that day fell fell far below what was expected of a competent and careful driver and it was obvious that it did so.”In short, the prosecution says the defendant’s driving that day fell fell far below what was expected of a competent and careful driver and it was obvious that it did so.”
Charlton was an experienced cyclist who had gone out into the Northumberland countryside from his home in North Shields, North Tyneside.Charlton was an experienced cyclist who had gone out into the Northumberland countryside from his home in North Shields, North Tyneside.
He was wearing a helmet at the time and his bicycle was in perfect working condition.He was wearing a helmet at the time and his bicycle was in perfect working condition.
The case continues.The case continues.