Death crash accused driver ‘clipped cyclist’

A MOTORIST accused of causing the death of an elderly cyclist told police how he “clipped” her bike wheel with his car then saw her “somersault” to the ground, a trial has heard.

Gary McCourt made the statement in an interview with officers minutes after 75-year-old Audrey Fyfe was fatally injured at the junction between Portobello Road and Craigentinny Avenue.

During questioning, McCourt told officers he tried to avoid the cyclist after seeing her at the “last minute”.

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The evidence was heard on the second day of his trial at Edinburgh Sheriff Court yesterday. McCourt, 49, denies a charge of causing the death of Mrs Fyfe by driving without due care and attention. A recording of a police interview which took place while McCourt was detained at 
St Leonards police station three months after the collision was also played to the jury.

McCourt told Detective Sergeant Mike Leask and Pc Paul Hammond that he had been driving in his Vauxhall Vectra to collect a takeaway meal at the time of the alleged incident on August 9, 2011.

On the tape, DS Leask, who is based with the CID unit at Craigmillar police station, read from a statement that McCourt supplied to officers shortly after Mrs Fyfe was injured. In the statement, McCourt said he was trying to turn right as a bus was 
approaching when “at the last minute I saw a cyclist behind the bus”.

McCourt told officers he believed it had been an elderly woman, adding: “I tried to avoid her but I clipped the back of her wheel.”

He said that the cyclist had “somersaulted” to the ground and, after getting out to check her condition, he “saw the blood” and returned to his vehicle “in shock”.

Giving evidence, Pc Hammond told the jury that McCourt had come to the station for interview at a pre-arranged time in November 2011. Pc Hammond, who is currently based with the traffic department at Police Scotland in Dalkeith, Midlothian, said that McCourt was detained on 
suspicion of committing a crime prior to being interviewed.

During the interview, 
McCourt, of Niddrie Mill Avenue, said that his wife and children were devastated by his involvement in Mrs Fyfe’s death.

Pc Hammond told defence solicitor Robert Fairbairn that following the alleged collision, McCourt asked the police to keep him informed about the elderly cyclist’s condition.

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The traffic policeman told Mr Fairbairn that McCourt was willing to be interviewed by officers. He added: “Mr 
McCourt complied fully with our requests and worked with us.”

Mrs Fyfe, of Coillesdene Crescent, Joppa, died two days after being struck while riding her bike by a vehicle allegedly driven by McCourt. It is alleged that Mrs Fyfe fell to the ground and struck her head, two days before she died from her injuries. The trial, which is being heard before Sheriff James Scott, continues.