A respected nonagenarian cyclist from Pontypridd tragically lost his life after being struck by a farmer towing a trailer loaded with wool, a court has heard this week. The incident took place on a quiet country lane, known locally as ‘Mountain Road’, on the morning of 21 September 2023.
John Symmonds, aged 92 and well-known throughout his community for his fitness and zest for life, was enjoying his usual morning bike ride when the fatal collision occurred. Malcolm Perry, a 72-year-old farmer from Llysnant Farm, Ynysybwl, was travelling in the same direction as Mr Symmonds. According to court proceedings, Perry decided to overtake Mr Symmonds at a point where it proved unsafe, resulting in the elderly cyclist being knocked down.
Emergency services were quickly called to the scene after Perry stopped and contacted 999. Mr Symmonds sustained severe injuries, including a fractured skull and bleeding on the brain, and was rushed to Prince Charles Hospital, Merthyr Tydfil. Despite the efforts of paramedics and hospital staff, he sadly died on 6 October, more than two weeks after the crash.
Merthyr Tydfil Crown Court heard how Perry had previously pleaded guilty to causing death by careless driving. The Crown Prosecution Service maintained that Perry’s decision to overtake was reckless given the limited space on the country lane. The court was told that the large volume of wool extending from Perry’s trailer likely made it harder for him to properly view the rear of his vehicle, thereby contributing to the tragic sequence of events.
A moving statement from Mr Symmonds’ daughter, Karen, was read aloud during the sentencing. With evident emotion, she spoke about her father’s character and the profound impact of his death on the family. “He was always extremely fit and healthy—cycling across France and Wales, regularly running the country roads, and only taking up cycling again in his 70s,” she said. “He was an inspirational man who upgraded to an electric bike in his 80s. That devastating phone call from my sister is a memory that will haunt me forever. Through a single moment of impatience, we have lost so much.”
The court also heard that Perry had received a fixed penalty notice in 2022 for driving without due care and attention. In mitigation, Perry’s barrister, Nicholas Gedge, conveyed his client’s profound regret and sorrow for the consequences of his actions. Gedge told the court: “Mr Perry is truly devastated. While there is no suggestion of speeding, this was a grave misjudgement with irreversible consequences.”
Judge Tracey Lloyd-Clarke, in her summing up, acknowledged the difficulty of balancing accountability with compassion. She told Perry: “I accept that you believed you had sufficient space to pass, but your judgement was incorrect. The penalty handed down is not a reflection of the immense worth of Mr Symmonds’ life, which was clearly precious to all who knew him.”
Perry received a 12-month prison sentence, suspended for two years, and was banned from driving for 18 months. The suspended nature of the sentence was a reflection of his guilty plea and clear remorse, but it left the family grappling with both their grief and a sense of unresolved justice.
Following the verdict, the Symmonds family issued a heartfelt tribute, expressing their deep loss and thanking emergency and hospital staff for their dedication and compassion. “Our dad will be greatly missed by us, our family, and the many friends he made. We are eternally grateful for the kindness and support extended to us during this sorrowful time.”
This incident has again raised questions about rural road safety, especially for vulnerable road users such as cyclists and pedestrians. As family, friends, and the local community mourn the loss of Mr Symmonds—described by those who knew him as truly inspirational—the hope remains that lessons learned from this tragedy will encourage more careful consideration and patience on the roads.