Oxford cyclist who was hit by coach in crash speaks out

Dr Alison Hill left the John Radcliffe Hospital in Headington last week after a crash with a white Volvo coach at the Parks Road junction with Banbury Road left her with a crushed pelvis, broken foot and severe cuts on her left leg.

She has been resting up at home for the past eight days and expects to make a full recovery within roughly six months.

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Dr Hill said: “I’m doing well. There were a lot of injuries my body was subjected to, but I was discharged last week and have been recovering at home.

“I expect to make a full recovery. The hospital is very happy with my progress and I had the most amazing care from everybody there.

“We’re so blessed to have the John Radcliffe here in Oxford.”

Dr Alison Hill Dr Hill said there has been a lot of metal work on her pelvis, and the severe abrasion on her left leg has cased tissue damage, but she is able to get around with a walking frame.

“I really can’t remember what happened. I’m hoping there will be witnesses. The police are involved so I’m hoping they will be piecing everything together,” said the cyclist, in her 70s.

When asked how she felt about getting back on a bike, Dr Hill said: “It’s inconceivable at the moment. But I do feel I have got to do that at some point.

“It will likely be later next year, but I do want to get back to it. It’s been my usual form of transport for all my life in Oxford.”

Dr Hill is campaigning through Cyclox to enable people to cycle and feel safe on the roads.

She said: “We need to make sure people feel safe. People tell us at our stalls they would love to cycle, but they don’t feel safe.”

Following a number of cycle deaths and serious injuries last year, Dr Hill claims that Cyclox demanded that Oxfordshire County Council considered taking up Vision Zero, a campaign to eliminate cycle deaths on the road.

Police after the crash involving Dr Hill (Image: Newsquest)Dr Hill said: “We were very gratified that the council agreed to explore this further and eventually adopt it.

“We’ve been working on our campaign topics, deciding to focus on safe speeds on our roads. All main roads should be 20mph with no 30mph in the city at all.

“We’re also campaigning for safe vehicles with the correct vision standards for HGVs and others. And we’re looking at junction safety, which is a major issue.”

Cyclox is running a week-long Big Give fundraising drive, to help bolster their safer streets campaign.

Donations will all be doubled by Big Give. You can donate here: https://donate.biggive.org/campaign/a056900002RXq9lAAD.

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This story was written by Matthew Norman, he joined the team in 2022 as a Facebook community reporter.

Matthew covers Bicester and focuses on finding stories from diverse communities.

Get in touch with him by emailing: Matthew.norman@newsquest.co.uk

Follow him on Twitter: @OxMailMattN1