An articulated lorry driver has pleaded guilty to killing two charity cyclists
A lorry driver has admitted causing the deaths of two Scottish charity cyclists.
Andrew McMenigall and Toby Wallace were killed on the A30 in Newquay just after they started a ride from Land’s End to John O’Groats last July.
The pair – both married dads – were aiming to raise money for the Kirsten Scott Memorial Trust which provides opportunities for young people.
The fact that they died in such tragic circumstances while trying to help others less fortunate tells you much about their selflessness and humanity
Kirsten was a 25-year-old colleague of the cyclists at Aberdeen Asset Management who died of cancer just five weeks after she was diagnosed.
Andrew was also raising money for It’s Good 2 Give, an Edinburgh-based charity that offers support to young people with cancer and their families.
One of his own daughters had been diagnosed with a brain tumour from which she recovered.
The two men had hoped to raise £10,000 for their charities but soon after the tragedy, the total rose to £50,000 with more money pledged.
In a statement, the Kirsten Scott Memorial Trust said: “Both Toby and Andrew had both been amazing supporters of the trust and their fund raising efforts have meant so much in helping to establish a trust in Kirsten’s name to support young people under 26.”
Martin Gilbert, chief executive of Aberdeen Asset Management, said: “I knew both Andrew and Toby well. They were dedicated and popular members of our senior team.
“The fact that they died in such tragic circumstances while trying to help others less fortunate tells you much about their selflessness and humanity.”
At Truro Crown Court in Cornwall, lorry driver Robert Palmer, 32, admitted three charges.
He pleaded guilty to causing the death of Wallace by dangerous driving, and the death of McMenigall by dangerous driving on 2 July last year.
He also admitted a charge of dangerous driving on the A30 at Whiddon Down near Okehampton, Devon, 11 weeks later in September 2013 in another artic lorry.
Palmer, from Bude, Cornwall, was bailed and will be sentenced at a later date.
