Video shows moment car ploughs into group of cyclists

Pensioner has licence taken away after smashing into group and speeding off

Shocking footage has emerged of a group of cyclists being knocked down by a passing car.

The moment that riders were catapulted off their bikes and left in a heap in the road after the car hit them before driving off into the distance has been released by one of the cyclists.

One member of the Yeovil Cycling Club was said to have lost part of an ear and another was left with cracked ribs after the car clipped the cyclists when the driver overtook on a country road.

Michael Tarrant, 81, from Wincanton in Somerset, has been banned from driving for two years after he admitted dangerous driving at Taunton Crown Court this week, Somerset Live reports.

Martin Willis was riding with the club – including his wife Sandra – through the village of Mudford, near Yeovil, in November last year when the crash took place.

Mr Willis, who released the footage, said his wife was left unconscious when the car ploughed into her, leaving her with a broken finger, cracked ribs and a bump on the back of her head.

He told Somerset Live: “Her ribs have mended and she has largely recovered from the concussion she suffered, but has been left with bad tinnitus.

“One of the other cyclists... lost part of her ear and suffered a deep cut to her leg

“All of us have experienced flashbacks of the incident and are still spooked by cars passing close from behind.“

Shaun Howells, the paramedic who was first on the scene of the collision, said the cyclists were “very lucky” to have escaped without more serious injuries.

On Twitter, Mr Howells said: “Although some are still suffering both mentally & physically, I’m so surprised we didn’t have more serious injuries. They are very lucky.”

The paramedic urged motorists to drive with care and to “respect all other road users."

Tarrant was disqualified from driving for two years and must take an extended re-test.

After the hearing, Mr Wills said: “It's pretty much what we hoped for. Mr Tarrant is off the road so won't be a danger to other road users.”

Tarrant denied a charge of causing serious injury by dangerous driving, which was dropped.

But he was handed a conditional discharge lasting 18 months and ordered to pay a victim surcharge of £20, after admitting a lesser charge of dangerous driving.