Dad killed in hit and run

October 30, 2007

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GORDEN: Heart of gold

A CYCLIST who died in a suspected hit and run accident in Bolton early today has been named as father of seven, Gorden Kay.

Police were called to the Moses Gate area of Great Lever shortly after 6am following reports that a man had been found slumped by the side of his bike.

An ambulance was called and 34-year old Gorden was taken to the Royal Bolton Hospital, but injuries to his spine and leg proved too severe and he was later pronounced dead.

Greater Manchester Police say that Gorden and his wife Shirley, of Grosvenor Street, Kearsley, were expecting their sixth child in March and had only yesterday agreed a name.

A spokesman said Shirley has been left ‘absolutely devastated and heartbroken’ by his death.

She said: “Gorden is a man with a heart of gold, who would do anything for anybody and would endeavour to make everybody laugh.

“His life revolved around his family and particularly his children. I ask that whoever is responsible, or anybody who saw what happened, to come forward to help us understand exactly how Gorden died.”

The couple have five children: Jessica nine, Liam seven, Amy five, Megan three, and Adam one.

Gorden also had two children, Johnathon, thirteen, and Shannon, eleven, from a previous relationship.

Detective Inspector Simon Davies said: “At the moment we are treating this as a fail to stop road traffic collision. The circumstances at this moment in time are unclear.

“It may be that the driver of the vehicle is not aware that anything has happened. It is vital that anyone who was driving along Manchester Road at the time should come forward and contact us as soon as possible so we can establish exactly what happened.”

Gorden was cycling to work when the collision occurred.

Manchester Road at its junction with Ivanhoe Street where the accident happened, was closed while a forensic examination and a detailed search of the area was carried out, but was later re-opened.

Inquiries are ongoing and anyone who witnessed the incident or who has any information is asked to call GMP on 0161 872 5050.

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chris (30/10/2007 at 17:37)

As a father and a cyclist I am saddened to read about this and my heart goes out to the family.

Cyclist are pretty much 2nd class citizens on the roads around Manchester and you people really should be a little more careful, on the slim chance the person who did this is caught I’m sure the couple of points and the tiny fine they get will drive that message home.

Andy, Wythenshawe (30/10/2007 at 18:52)

There's been a number of cyclists being killed on our roads over recent months and numerous hit and runs over the past few years when will national and local government act to end the carnage.

Driving standards are appaling, vehicles being driven by unlincensed, un-insured and unfit ( drugs and alcohol )individuals whos vehicles are often in a worse state.

David, Manchester (30/10/2007 at 19:05)

An unnecessary tragedy. There are almost no cycle lanes anywhere, certainly none in that area of Farnworth and there are never road blocks to check for illegal cars and drunk drivers. So we should not cycle until there is a political will to make it safe enough by doing these things.

gazzo manchester of course, manchester of course (30/10/2007 at 19:58)

i seen this mans bike at the side of the road while the police were doing forensics on the road i do feel sorry for him and his familly but i also noticed that their was no lights on this bike and i do believe it to be dark at six oclock in the morning im not blaming him but would lights have saved him ?

dennis fallon (30/10/2007 at 20:18)

The time is being reached where the incompetent actions of local councils will provoke a strong response from cyclists, instead of chat on chatsites.Let us see someone from the council attend the funeral, or do they prefer to hide in their offices?

mel c (30/10/2007 at 20:32)

Another cyclist, another statistic,when will this government wake up and introduce segregated cycle pathways etc
They expect us to be "green" but provide no paths etc to enable an innocent man to cycle to work in safety
Heart felt sympathy to Mrs Kay and all the children

Bill, Kiriat Motzkin (30/10/2007 at 20:41)

My sympathies to the family of this man. I don't see why people hit and run. If you hit and stay the punishment is quite lame. Being caught after running is a totally different matter.

Kathryn Heys (30/10/2007 at 22:00)

This is so very sad
Here we have a father who was cycling to work..supporting his family.
My heart goes out to his wife and family.

David Bayliss (30/10/2007 at 22:42)

As a non-car driver, and a person who cycles and normally works 4.2 miles to work & back as a matter of course, I appreciate the hazards of being a cyclist and pedestrian in Stockport & Manchester. I think car drivers have to be more responsible than other road users, as they choose to control deadly instruments, whilst (often unnecessarily) polluting locally with toxic gases and anti-social noise. Cars also park on paths - damaging them at my (tax-payers) expense, ignore mandatory cycle-lane markings, speed down bus lanes during reserved times; I see at least 4 or 5 mobile phone users per journey I make. Additionally I've been knocked off my bike myself where the driver drove off - possibly not even noticing (no fault of my own). However - having said all that, I think cyclists and pedestrians do not act responsibly a lot of the time, - I am not speculating on Gorden Kay's case at all and regardless it is a tragedy, but in my experience drivers, cyclists and pedestrians are as groups each equally reckless with their road behaviour.

Salford Ken, South Australia (31/10/2007 at 02:45)

What a waste of life, and atragic outcome. Not much will change until politicians stop getting paid for government cars and get issued with pushbikes.

gillykins, urmston (31/10/2007 at 07:33)

Oh how sad. My heart goes out to his family. Its horrible for a cyclist on thses dark roads in the winter months. I shouted at one cyclist last week for driving in the dark with no lights on and no reflective clothing. He scared the life out of me I didnt see him till the very last minute and thats only because he cycled under a street light! Cyclists please give yourself a chance - lights and proper equipment - and drivers - be aware!!

Andrew, Manchester (31/10/2007 at 08:13)

I have also noticed over the last 6 or 7 years how the number of 'hit and runs' in Greater Manchester seems to have shot up. People today have no respect or morals to do the right thing. When will people accept responsibilities for their actions and do the right thing. For a father to lose his life needlessly at such a young age is tragic, but to cause a mother to be alone to bring up 7 children is unforgiveable. If the driver of whatever kind of vehicle has any human decency left, then he will hand himself in to the Police.

Ms D, Manchester (31/10/2007 at 10:26)

I agree with you Andy. I'm not a cyclist but I do my best to bear them in mind and look out for them. There are far too many illegal drivers on the roads who couldn't care less and I have seen them dart right in front of cyclists, almost knocking them off their bikes. My son cycles to college and I tell him to ride on the pavements where he can. I know it's wrong but he's safer on the pavements than the roads.

This is a tragic story and shame on the person who hit this man and drove off, thinking of their own hide before the life of a fellow human being.

Andy, Wythenshawe (31/10/2007 at 12:37)

I agree with the concern over lack of lights on bikes ( I nearly wiped out 2 postmen in appaling conditions last year )but clearly failing to stop indicates the car driver had something to hide.

I cycle 15miles round trip to work ( at all hours, though I still own a car ), I've got great lights and all the reflective gear but STILL drivers force me off the road on a regular basis.

Seperated bike lanes will encourage more cycling and keep bikers safe, not to mention saving the enviroment and keeping the populas fit taking the ever increasing pressure of the health service .... but where is the political will to change things ?

alvinlwh (31/10/2007 at 16:31)

I both drive and cycle, therefore I can see both sides. I know that it could be difficult to see a bicycle in a car, mainly due to the lack of light. At least a motorcycle will have both headlight and tail light. I also know that I am least protected when I am on a bicycle, no a silly mushroom will not protect the head, therefore I do not beat red lights or cycle on the right of the road. Cyclists should know that in an accident, no matter who's fault, they will suffer more. Which is why I cycle defensively when I am out on a bicycle.

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