Lorry driver admits A30 charity cyclists' deaths
- 1 July 2014
- From the section Edinburgh, Fife & East Scotland
An articulated lorry driver has admitted causing the deaths of two Scottish cyclists by dangerous driving.
Andrew McMenigall and Toby Wallace were killed shortly after starting a charity ride from Land's End to John O'Groats on 2 July 2013.
Robert Palmer, 32, from Cornwall, appeared at Truro Crown Court in Cornwall and admitted three charges.
He pleaded guilty last Friday to causing the death of Mr Wallace and Mr McMenigall by dangerous driving.
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 lorry.
Palmer, from Grimscott near Bude, Cornwall, was bailed and will be sentenced on 1 September.
The men, who were both married with children, were struck as they cycled in the nearside lane of the A30 at Newquay.
Mr Wallace, 36, went to Cambridge University and had been a member of two winning teams in the Boat Race. He had worked in London, Sydney and Philadelphia.
His family said: "He had a remarkable zest for life. He was in peak condition both mentally and physically and was constantly pursuing new challenges from rowing 3,000 miles across the Atlantic and competing in events such as the World and National Rowing Championships, to riding for 24 hours straight in the World Mountain Bike championships.
"He was a proud Australian Lifesaver and an Australian Surf Ironman, winning both state and National Surf Lifesaving titles. He joined Aberdeen Asset Management in 2000 as a graduate trainee from Jesus College, Cambridge, where he was part of the winning team in two University Boat Races. Toby was a remarkable husband, son, brother and friend."
The family of Edinburgh born Andrew McMenigall said: "He excelled in all areas of his life, at Aberdeen Asset Management where he was a senior investment manager in a high performing team, earlier in his life as an officer in the British Army, rugby player and referee, most recently as a triathlete and coach at Edinburgh Triathletes, and most importantly as a devoted husband, father, son and brother."