Following the tragic death of four cyclists on the January 8, 2006, North Wales Police carried out the biggest investigation into a road crash that they had ever undertaken, with the verdict delivered June 27, 2007.
The jury found there were a number of contributory factors to their deaths including a serious lack of communication between the North Wales Police, Conwy Borough Council and Denbighshire Council. The Coroner strongly criticised the decision of the Chief Crown Prosecutor not to prosecute the driver whose car collided with the cyclists.
After the hearing, the families' lawyer, William Hoskins, read out a statement on their behalf. "Following 18 months of unanswered questions and delays, which have added to the immense grief, and suffering caused by the tragic deaths of Dave, Maurice, Thomas and Wayne, the families are relieved that the Coroner and jury have conducted a thorough investigation into this tragic event. Our lawyers, on our behalf, made clear to the Chief Crown Prosecutor, our disbelief at the decision not to prosecute Mr Harris for driving offences.
"We remain unhappy with that decision in the light of the evidence heard by the Coroner. In fact, we feel badly let down by this decision and that Justice has not been served. We feel that in the light of the evidence that was available in the early hours of Sunday morning, the A547 should have been gritted before the fatal accident. However, we hope that this tragedy will cause lessons to be learned and that both the highway authorities involved and the Police will now take steps to ensure that protocols and procedures are revised to better protect the safety of all road users in the future."
British Cycling's President Brian Cookson and Chief Executive Peter King have both responded to the results of the inquest.
Brian Cookson described that "the whole of British Cycling was shocked by this terrible tragedy, and we were determined to do all we could as an organisation, to support the families. I'd like to offer our condolences and ongoing support to the families of Maurice, Dave, Thomas and Wayne."
Peter King mentioned that he is glad there was further investigation and that everybody involved had "a right to be concerned [with the initial finding]."
