Cyclist who died in crash on Langstone Bridge named as ex-leader of Havant council
Elderly cyclist who died on bridge named as tributes paid to ex-council leader
An elderly cyclist who came off his bike before being hit by a car on Langstone Bridge and dying has been named as a former leader of Havant Borough Council.
Emergency crews including an air ambulance were called at 12.30pm on Thursday 9 April to the horror crash on Langstone Road, Hayling Island.
Police said it was reported that a “cyclist came off his bike before becoming involved in a collision with a red Ford Fiesta”. The incident caused traffic chaos with the the road into Hayling Island closed off for several hours.
The force has now revealed the cyclist who died was 85-year-old James Phillips from Hayling Island. He “sustained serious injuries and was taken to QA hospital where he sadly died a short time later”.
His family have now issued the following tribute to him. It read: “Jim was a one-time Havant Borough councillor and the first ever Havant Borough Council leader.
“An electrical engineer, a Highbury College lecturer and finally, a teacher of children with special needs. Jim was also a bowler in Langston C. C. and later a qualified umpire. His vegetable patch, wild animals, nature and The Robin Hood at Havant were of great interest to him.
“Standing at 6'6" and still very strong at 85, he will be terribly missed by his partner Valerie - and not just because he did all the cooking - but in every way that matters....And his loved daughter, Alison and Bella his spoiled cat.”
If you witnessed this collision or have any information about this incident, call 101 quoting reference 44260165380