A cyclist has had his leg amputated two years and 15 operations after he was hit by an unaccompanied learner driver while riding through Gosport.
The News reports that on April 13, 2016, Phil Dyke was about to turn right into Dock Road, when a driver pulled out from the same road and hit him.
Graham Fitzpatrick was driving under a provisional licence without L-plates and was unaccompanied by a qualified driver. He failed to attend a court hearing and was banned from driving for two years.
Dyke said: “As far as life is concerned, it’s completely turned it upside down by the actions of an idiot – a split-second of madness and it nearly cost me my life.
“Initially when I was in the emergency room, I saw a surgeon – I’d seen the damage; basically taken my foot off – I said could we get rid of it? He said: ‘I think we could have a go at saving it’.”
Dyke underwent 15 operations, but five months ago he suffered a collapse in his leg and medics had to carry out a below-the-knee amputation.
Claire Howard from law firm Irwin Mitchell commented: “Phil’s case vividly highlights the devastating consequences that vulnerable road users such as cyclists can be left to face because of the careless actions of others.
“We will continue to support Phil and his family to help him access the specialist care and therapies he needs as he continues to come to terms with how his life has been turned upside down.”