Family plea over cycling tragedy.
16 Nov 2007
Renewed appeal for information on death of University employee.
A family has renewed their appeal for information a month after a University employee died when he fell from his bike while cycling to work.
Ian Gatward from Stockport, a 55-year-old Experimental Officer in the School of Computer Science, died at Manchester Royal Infirmary on Tuesday 16 October.
A week earlier, just before 11am on Thursday 11 October, Ian was cycling into work at the University along Booth Street East when he fell from his bike at the junction with Clifford Street. It is believed a car or van was involved but there was no contact between the vehicle and Ian.
On the month-long anniversary of Ian's death, police have also issued CCTV images of a woman they are keen to identify and speak to whom it is believed has vital information about the incident:
She was captured on a nearby CCTV camera around the time of the incident.
Police officers and Ian's family are appealing to the woman, or anyone who was driving along Booth Street East at the time of the incident, to come forward so they can piece together what happened.
Ian's sister Annette Beardsley said: "It has been a month since Ian's death and we are still trying to come to terms with our loss. As a family, we are desperate to find out exactly what happened to Ian and I would urge the person captured on CCTV to come forward. If she does have information about Ian's death it is so important she contacts police so we can have some peace of mind.
"Ian was a fit, healthy man who loved his job and we are deeply saddened by our loss.
"His two main passions in life were cycling and computers. He was a member of staff of the computer science department at Manchester University and had spent many happy years there. He loved computers and enjoyed building sound speakers as a hobby.
"Ian also loved cycling and would cycle to the University every day from Heaton Chapel, weather permitting.
"He was an avid Manchester United fan and also enjoyed watching cricket."
Anyone with information is asked to call:
- Area Five Road Policing Unit at West Didsbury Police Station on 0161 856 6173 or 0161 856 6108
or 0161 872 5050 quoting Forcewide Incident Number 776 111007
or - Crimestoppers, in confidence, on 0800 555 111