A driver is facing a potential prison sentence after pleading guilty to causing serious injury by careless driving. The charge follows a severe nighttime collision that left a cyclist lying undiscovered in a roadside ditch. Rebecca Tyndall, 68, of East Lothian, struck 62-year-old cyclist Douglas Flynn from behind on a rural Stirlingshire road, catapulting him off his bike and into a verge.
The Night of the Crash
The incident occurred on November 22, 2023, along a right-hand bend on the B8075, known locally as Kirk Lane, near Blairdrummond. Both Tyndall, driving a VW Tiguan, and Mr Flynn, a Stirling cyclist, were heading north toward the A84 trunk road. Accident investigators established that Tyndall hit Mr Flynn’s bicycle straight on from behind, causing the bike to spin clockwise and making the cyclist airborne. Mr Flynn collided with roadside chevron markers before landing in a deep ditch.
Prosecutor Jennifer Bairner informed Falkirk Sheriff Court that no pre- or post-impact tyre marks were discovered to indicate emergency braking. No definitive reason for the collision could be established. Despite the dark conditions, Mr Flynn was wearing complete cycling safety gear. This included a reflective silver jacket, reflective shoe protectors, a white-and-red helmet, and functioning front and rear bicycle lights.
Discovery in the Ditch
Following the impact, Tyndall lost control of her vehicle, plunging through a hedge and fence into a nearby field. A local farmer spotted headlights in the field at approximately 6:10 p.m. and went to investigate alongside another passing motorist. They found Tyndall inside her car with two dogs; she told them she was unsure what had happened.
Police arrived at the scene around 6:35 p.m. to speak with Tyndall. During a subsequent inspection of the crash site, an officer walked back to trace where the VW Tiguan had left the roadway and discovered Mr Flynn lying face down in the verge below road level. He was conscious but suffered an open head wound. Paramedics later noted his helmet was wedged firmly into his head. His £1,000 bicycle bore heavy damage from the vehicle’s front number plate colliding with the rear wheel.
Tyndall tested negative for both alcohol and drugs. Interviewed by police, she stated that she misjudged the bend, lost control, and insisted she was not speeding and had never seen a cyclist.
Life-Changing Injuries and Court Proceedings
Mr Flynn spent weeks receiving hospital treatment for severe, life-changing injuries. His medical trauma included a bleed on the brain, a skull fracture, extensive facial fractures, a fractured eye socket, a fractured spine, a collapsed lung, rib fractures, and a broken leg. Medical interventions required surgery for his skull, the insertion of six pins in his right femur, and a metal rod running the length of his leg.
Three years later, Mr Flynn continues to cope with permanent health complications. These include impaired vision in one eye, total numbness in one shoulder, and the inability to ever run or hillwalk again.
Appearing at Falkirk Sheriff Court, Tyndall pleaded guilty to causing serious injury by careless driving. Sheriff Craig Harris deferred sentencing until December 1, granted continued bail, and banned Tyndall from driving with immediate effect pending the final determination of her disqualification period. The offence carries a maximum statutory penalty of two years in custody.
Frequently Asked Questions
What caused the crash on Kirk Lane?
Accident investigators and prosecutors stated that Rebecca Tyndall misjudged a right-hand bend on the B8075 in the dark. She ploughed directly into the back of cyclist Douglas Flynn without applying emergency brakes.
What injuries did the cyclist sustain?
Douglas Flynn suffered life-changing injuries including a skull fracture, a bleed on the brain, a fractured spine, a collapsed lung, multiple broken ribs, facial fractures, and a severely broken leg requiring pins and a metal rod.
Was the cyclist visible at the time?
Yes. The court heard that Mr Flynn was wearing a reflective silver jacket, reflective shoe protectors, a white-and-red helmet, and working front and rear bicycle lights.
How long was the cyclist left undiscovered?
Mr Flynn lay face down in a roadside ditch below the level of the road. Police officers investigating the secondary car crash did not find him for at least 25 minutes.
What legal penalties does Rebecca Tyndall face?
Tyndall pleaded guilty to causing serious injury by careless driving. The charge carries a maximum sentence of two years in prison, and she has already received an interim driving ban ahead of her sentencing hearing.
