Chichester cyclist feels 'lucky to be here' after serious collision with tractor

A Chichester cyclist said he feels fortunate to be alive after he was involved in a serious collision with a tractor.
Paddy Solan was taken to hospital with serious injuries including a punctured lung andmultiple fractured ribsPaddy Solan was taken to hospital with serious injuries including a punctured lung andmultiple fractured ribs
Paddy Solan was taken to hospital with serious injuries including a punctured lung andmultiple fractured ribs

Funtington resident and Paddy Solan, 48, was travelling along Old Broyle Road at 6.10pm on Monday, August 10 when his bike was involved in a collision with a tractor.

Sussex Police said the blue tractor, which was towing a trailer carrying equipment and travelling westbound, had left the scene prior to officers' arrival.

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Dad-of-one Paddy, who was left with serious injuries including a punctured lung and multiple fractured ribs, said it could have very easily been a fatal collision.

Paddy was travelling along Old Broyle Road when his bike was involved in a collisionwith atractor, which left the scene prior to police officers' arrivalPaddy was travelling along Old Broyle Road when his bike was involved in a collisionwith atractor, which left the scene prior to police officers' arrival
Paddy was travelling along Old Broyle Road when his bike was involved in a collisionwith atractor, which left the scene prior to police officers' arrival

"I feel I'm lucky to be here," Paddy said. "I was very lucky not to have been killed.

"A bit to the left or the right and it could have been fatal.

"It hits home more when I communicate with my [15-year-old] son. The reality could have been that he wouldn't have a dad anymore."

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Paddy said he didn't know how severe his injuries were, when he was taken to hospital, but he felt his breathing become 'so shallow' and his oxygen levels 'dropped dramatically'.

He added: "All my ribs and shoulder were broken and my lung was collapsing. It's hard to comprehend.

"Thankfully I was wearing a helmet that prevented me from sustaining serious head trauma.

"I don't know if I'll cycle on the roads again. I can't even drive at the moment."

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Paddy, who spent ten days in hospital, said he is 'totally thankful' to the passersby who stopped to help after the crash.

"It's due to them that I got to hospital and seen in the quickest way," he said. "I would love to thank all these people in person.

"If the person [tractor driver] was caught, it would help the process. I want my situation to prevent others being in it.

"With more and more cyclists on the road and farm machinery getting bigger, there needs to be more control."

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Police have today (September 1) appealed for witnesses to the serious collision.

PC Steve Butcher said: "We want to hear from anyone who witnessed this collision or who has any information.

"We are working to identify the driver so we can establish the full circumstances of what happened.

"If you think you may have been the tractor driver please come forwards and speak to us."

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Anyone with information can report it online or call 101, quoting 1299 of 10/08 or email [email protected] .

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