UK NEWS

CYCLIST'S WIDOW WINS FAI INTO THIS DEATH

Jason MacIntyre, 34, died during a training ride near his home in Fort William in January 2008

Friday February 5,2010

By Judith Duffy

THE widow of a Scottish cycling champion killed in a horror road crash yesterday said she would never get over the loss of her husband.

Olympic hopeful Jason MacIntyre, 34, died when he hit the rear of a van which turned across his path, during a training ride near his home in Fort William in January 2008.

After a prolonged battle, his widow Caroline has secured a fatal accident inquiry (FAI) into his death, which is due to be held next month.

Speaking about the accident for the first time, the 33-year-old said she hoped it would finally help explain how their 11-year-old twin daughters Morgan and Chloe, were robbed of their father.

She said: “I know where and when Jason died, but not how and why. That makes it so difficult for me to come to terms with losing him.

“As long as I get up each day and help the girls have a smile on their face, then I have done my job and that is all I can do. But I’ll never get over losing Jason.”

Mr MacIntyre was being considered for the British cycling team for the Beijing Olympics and was expected to represent Scotland at the 2010 Commonwealth Games.

Van driver Robert McTaggart was fined £500 and given a six-month ban after admitting careless driving in August 2008.

Fort William Sheriff Court heard that he should have been able to see the cyclist for a full 16 seconds before turning across his path.

Mrs MacIntyre has also launched a £500,000 damages claim against McTaggart and his council employers.

Last night a Crown Office spokesman said procurators fiscal were responsible for investigating more than 13,000 deaths in Scotland each year, some of which involved detailed and lengthy investigation.

He said: “During these it is appropriate to liaise with the family to allow them to carry out any investigation they feel appropriate.

“It would not be in the public interest to hold such an inquiry before all such investigations are complete.

We have sought to keep the family of Mr MacIntyre informed and would be happy to discuss with them any concerns they may have.”

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