The 44-year-old from Porthcawl in Wales was thrown from his bicycle to the side of the A48 while the van did not stop.

Passers-by stopped to call for assistance and Richardson was quickly taken to the University of Wales Hospital in Cardiff via air ambulance where he is undergoing treatment for multiple injuries – his wife revealing that he is currently in a "critical but stable condition".

A 59-year-old man from the Cowbridge area has been arrested but South Wales Police Inspector Tony McAlinden said stated that the police are still looking for witnesses to divulge further details on the incident.

"South Wales Police are appealing for witnesses following a road traffic collision that occurred at approximately 9.40am on Wednesday, August 17 at the A48 Crack Hill, outside Crack Hill House, Bridgend," said Inspector McAlinden.

"The Welsh Paralympic cyclist Simon Richardson MBE was involved in the injury road traffic accident.

"He was apparently struck by a small white van travelling in the same direction.

"The van did not stop and continued east along the A48 in the general direction of Cowbridge.

Just after the incident, two further vehicles were involved in a collision at the same location - a black Toyota Avensis Estate car, driven by a 43-year-old man, and a Gold Rover 25 car driven by a 74-year-old woman.

"The ambulance service attended the scene and provided assistance and treatment to both Mr Richardson and the female driver," continued Inspector McAlinden.

"Mr Richardson was later taken by air ambulance to University of Wales Hospital, Cardiff, where he is undergoing treatment for multiple injuries.

"South Wales Police are appealing for any witnesses to contact them.

"Police would like to speak to any person who witnessed the collision, or may have been travelling between Cowbridge and Bridgend on the A48 and saw a white small van leaving the area.

"Also anyone who stopped to provide assistance and who have not yet given their details."


British Paralympic Association chief executive Tim Hollingsworth has led the calls of support to Richardson and his family.

"We're deeply shocked by the news of Simon's accident," said Hollingsworth.

"He's in our thoughts and on behalf of everyone in the British Paralympic family we wish him a speedy recovery."

Gareth Sheppard, the Paralympic Performance Manager, added: "We were shocked and saddened by the news that Simon was seriously injured while out on his bike yesterday.

"Simon won three medals for Britain at the Beijing Paralympics and we hope the same determination and strength that have made him such an outstanding athlete will help him pull through this difficult time.

"Our thoughts are with him and his family."

The incident was not the first time Richardson has suffered such an accident as in 2001, he was seriously injured in cycling incident with a car while out with friends from a cycling club.

It left him with serious leg and back injuries and no feeling down his left hand side.

He continued to cycle after doctors recommended it would aid his rehabilitation - using a specially adapted bike powered only by his right leg.

He made his disability sport debut in the Welsh national team in 2006 and went on to win Britain's first gold at Beijing in the LC3/4 1km time trial in world record time.

He claimed a second gold in China in the LC3–4 3km individual pursuit and went on to take a silver medal in the LC3 class road time trial behind gold medallist Laurent Thirionet of France.

He later received the MBE in 2009.

British Cycling have urged anyone with information on the incident to contact the South Wales Police Roads Policing Unit in Gwaelod y Garth, Cardiff, on 02920 633438 or Crimestoppers on 0800 555111.

Contact the writer of this story at [email protected]


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