On the 16th October 2012, at 2:54pm, my life came to a shattering end. My old life that is, because on that day my lovely wife Hilary was run over and killed by a Heavy Goods Vehicle whilst cycling home.

We had been together, blissfully, for 45 years. My entire existence and reason for being were built around her, and the relationship which we enjoyed together. Losing Hilary was more devastating than I could ever describe, and the brutal way in which her life was ended drove me to total despair.

In all the photographs of us together, displayed around our home, I have my arm around her, protectively. 

That was part of what I was there for, to save her from harm. Yet when she needed me most I wasn’t there. That really hurts.

Getting that awful news from the unfortunate police officer who had to deliver it pitched me into a nightmare world. I had to tell our grown up children what had happened to their Mother, and imagine what a terrible effect it would have on our grandchildren. Then I had to get the terrible news out to family and friends. All the time, consumed with a feeling of panic and desolation, I could hardly believe what I was saying.

Then came all the other depressing things that just had to be attended to. Speaking with the Coroner and police, registering Hilary’s death, arranging her funeral, and then sorting out our affairs.

I was in a very bad place. My mind was going off in all directions and I couldn’t imagine how I would carry on.

The Police enquiry has been long, but I’m pleased to say meticulous. In April, six months after the incident, they were able to send their accumulated evidence to the CPS, asking for them to consider a prosecution for ‘Causing Death by Careless Driving.’ It seems that they have a robust case, but I am still waiting for a decision.

My sincere wish is that the outcome of all that follows will go some way to diminish the risk that others will have to endure the same heartache.  Lorries with blind spots, high ground clearance without deflection guards, lack of driver training, inappropriate use in certain areas at certain times, etc, are unacceptable and should be the subject of legislation.