Retired man dies in crash on daily exercise
A RETIRED steelworker out cycling on his daily exercise was killed in a car crash just a mile from Britain’s biggest steel plant where he worked for 43 years.
Fitness fan Philip Bamsey, 67, died when his blue bike was in a collision with a silver Ford Fiesta on his mid-afternoon daily trip out. He was treated by medics at the scene but died on a busy A-road in Port Talbot, near the giant Tata steelworks where he worked from the age of 17 until retiring.
It is the third unrelated cycling death in Wales less than a week after Paul Heenan, 40, died in Ebbw Vale and Robert Holmes, 36, was killed on Menai Bridge, Anglesey. Mr Holmes and Mr Heenan were also involved in collisions with cars while out cycling during lockdown.
Retired Tata steelworker Mr Bamsey – know to all as Phil – is survived by his wife Jan and son Chris. He worked at British/Tata Steel Port Talbot all his working life, from aged 17 to 60 as a metallurgist.
His family said: “Phil had a love for all sports and in particular running. He also had a love of swimming, cycling and the Aberavon rugby quiz team in which he took part every Thursday evening.
“He was a well-known character as he would take the time to speak with anyone.
“His family and friends are all devastated by this tragic incident. He will be sorely missed as he lived life to the full. We wish to thank witnesses who assisted the emergency services in trying to save his life.”
Officers have appealed for fellow motorists to provide dashcam footage of the driver or the cyclist at the time of the crash.
A spokeswoman for South Wales Police said the crash happened at around 2pm on Wednesday on the A4241 in Baglan, Port Talbot.
She said: “We would like to speak with any witnesses to the collision.”