Doctors say Angus cyclist’s life was saved by crash helmet

An Angus cyclist was saved by his crash helmet after he was unseated by a speed bump.

Billy Smith from Arbroath had cycled to Newport and was on his way home when he had the accident on a path next to Carnoustie Golf Course.

The 55-year-old had been startled by the horn of a passing train and took his eye off the road for a moment, only to be sent spinning by a speed bump.

Mr Smith landed on his head and the front of his body and was knocked unconscious.

He suffered two broken ribs. Doctors have since told the Angus Bike Chain member he likely would have died without a crash helmet.

He said: “I am familiar with the speed bumps at Carnoustie Golf Course. I had gone over a few of them but in between two of the bumps, I heard a blast from a horn.

“It sort of startled me and I lifted my hand off the left handlebar. After that, everything else is pretty vague until I was in casualty at Arbroath Infirmary.

“The doctor said my helmet saved my life.”