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| Compensation for cyclists' deaths | Compensation for cyclists' deaths |
| (20 minutes later) | |
| The families of four members of Rhyl Cycling Club killed in a road accident near Abergele may be compensated, it has been revealed. | The families of four members of Rhyl Cycling Club killed in a road accident near Abergele may be compensated, it has been revealed. |
| Thomas Harland, 14, Maurice Broadbent, 61, Dave Horrocks, 55, and Wayne Wilkes, 42, died on 8 January 2006. | Thomas Harland, 14, Maurice Broadbent, 61, Dave Horrocks, 55, and Wayne Wilkes, 42, died on 8 January 2006. |
| Conwy Council and the insurance company of the driver involved have agreed a deal which could pave the way for payouts to those effected. | |
| Conwy Council said it did not admit "liability or apportionment of blame". | |
| Coroner for north east Wales John Hughes revealed there had been admissions of civil liability at a preliminary inquest hearing at Flint on Thursday. | Coroner for north east Wales John Hughes revealed there had been admissions of civil liability at a preliminary inquest hearing at Flint on Thursday. |
| Sue Bence, the solicitor acting for the families, welcomed the news but said there was no plan for any civil action in the courts at this stage. | Sue Bence, the solicitor acting for the families, welcomed the news but said there was no plan for any civil action in the courts at this stage. |
| She said the inquests were the families' top priority. | She said the inquests were the families' top priority. |
| In a statement, Conwy Council said it had "agreed to contribute, in conjunction with the driver's insurers, to the claims to obviate any further distress, suffering and cost to the families associated with the pursuit of legal redress. " | In a statement, Conwy Council said it had "agreed to contribute, in conjunction with the driver's insurers, to the claims to obviate any further distress, suffering and cost to the families associated with the pursuit of legal redress. " |
| It added the agreement was "without any admission of liability or apportionment of blame as far as the council was concerned". | It added the agreement was "without any admission of liability or apportionment of blame as far as the council was concerned". |
| Defective tyres | Defective tyres |
| Robert Allen Harries, from Abergele, was last year fined £180 and £35 costs and received six points on his licence for having defective tyres. | Robert Allen Harries, from Abergele, was last year fined £180 and £35 costs and received six points on his licence for having defective tyres. |
| However, the court heard the defects were not to blame for the accident. | However, the court heard the defects were not to blame for the accident. |
| At Thursday's hearing, coroner Mr Hughes said inquests into the deaths would commence on 4 June at Abergele Town Hall. | At Thursday's hearing, coroner Mr Hughes said inquests into the deaths would commence on 4 June at Abergele Town Hall. |
| The inquests, before a jury, are expected to last four to six weeks. | The inquests, before a jury, are expected to last four to six weeks. |
| Mr Hughes has previously criticised delays which have prevented him setting a date for the inquests. | Mr Hughes has previously criticised delays which have prevented him setting a date for the inquests. |
| The cyclists died on the A547 Rhuddlan Road, near Abergele, at the beginning of a 60-mile (97km) club training ride. | The cyclists died on the A547 Rhuddlan Road, near Abergele, at the beginning of a 60-mile (97km) club training ride. |
| Mr Harries, 47, lost control after skidding on black ice and collided with the group of 12 cyclists. | Mr Harries, 47, lost control after skidding on black ice and collided with the group of 12 cyclists. |