Fatal crash cyclist’s bike ‘lost control’
ADEDICATED doctor and experienced cyclist lost control of his bike moments before he died in a head-on crash with bus.
An inquest heard Dr Andrew Fowell, 66, of Rhos Newydd, Llangoed, Beaumaris, Anglesey, lost control of his bike between Pen-y-Pass and Nant Peris in Snowdonia on September 25, 2021.
An experienced cyclist, Dr Fowell had ridden regularly for five decades and on the day of the collision was cycling a route he knew well.
Accompanied by a close friend, Dr Fowell had been travelling on the A4086 towards Nant Gwynant before the fatal crash.
The inquest heard traffic had come to a stop to allow enough room for a bus travelling in the opposite direction, when Dr Fowell, who was travelling downhill, approached from around a bend.
A report from North Wales Police said Dr Fowell was confronted with the stationary vehicles when he rounded a bend in the road, and struggled to get control of his bike.
In an attempt to avoid colliding with the vehicles on his side of the road, Dr Fowell crossed into oncoming traffic and collided with the front of an oncoming bus, which was carrying several passengers at the time.
The inquest held in Caernarfon heard the bus driver had tried to move out of the way as Dr Fowell approached, but there was traffic on one side, and a stone wall on the other.
The bus driver, who had 50 years’ driving experience, collided with the stone wall in an attempt to avoid Dr Fowell, but was unsuccessful.
Assistant Coroner for North West Wales, Sarah Riley, said the bus driver did “everything he possibly could to avoid the collision,” but tragically Dr Fowell collided with the front of the bus.
The impact of the collision threw Dr Fowell from his bike and underneath the bus at approximately 11.23am, causing multiple injuries.
Emergency services were called but despite efforts to revive him at the scene, the beloved father and grandfather was pronounced dead at 11.47am.
A post-mortem said Dr Fowell died of “multiple injuries to the head and chest” due to a road traffic collision. Ms Riley recorded a narrative conclusion that Dr Fowell had died after “the pedal bike he was riding lost control and collided with a bus travelling in the opposite direction.”
Following his death, Mr Fowell’s family issued a statement describing him as “a proud father” and “doting grandfather” who would be “sorely missed”.
During the hearing, Dr Fowell’s wife, Anne, thanked those who worked to save her husband.
She said: “I just want to say thank you to everybody who was at the scene and tried to save him. And thank you to the police for all of their work.”
Betsi Cadawaladr University Health Board (BCUHB) also paid tribute, highlighting Dr Fowell’s pioneering work in setting up a Palliative Care Service for North Wales.
Dr Fowell was a palliative care consultant at Ysbyty Gwynedd and despite his retirement in 2013 had continued as a lecturer. He is survived by his wife of 43 years, Anne, children Rachel and Richard and his two grandchildren.