The widows of two men killed during a charity cycle ride have paid tribute to their “exceptional and giant men” as a lorry driver admitted causing their deaths by dangerous driving.
Andrew McMenigall, 47, and Toby Wallace, 36, both senior employees of Aberdeen Asset Management (AAM), were crushed by a 30-tonne lorry near Newquay, Cornwall, last July.
The pair were just 40 miles into the 960-mile bike ride from Land’s End to John O’ Groats to raise money for two charities when they were struck by a white Renault lorry being driven by Robert Palmer.
Yesterday, Palmer, 32, admitted causing their deaths by dangerous driving at Truro Crown Court.
Mr Wallace’s widow Claire, originally from Banchory, and Mr McMenigall’s widow Anne, released a joint statement last night.
Describing their devastation, the two woman criticised “lenient” UK transport laws and called for better conditions for the growing number of cyclists on the roads.
Mrs Wallace, who married her husband on Deeside in 2005, and Mrs McMenigall said: “There are no words to describe the devastation and loss that we, and both families, feel following the deaths of our husbands, they were exceptional and giant men in every sense of the word.
“It is a tragedy that so many other families are also mourning loved ones who have been killed on Britain’s roads, particularly when many of these deaths were completely avoidable.
“So many of these families do not ever see this charge brought against the person who has killed their husband, their child, their brother, their father.
“UK transport laws are lenient, charges are difficult and onerous to attain and less and less resource is being dedicated to road traffic collisions.
“We would like to thank everyone who has supported us and been involved in getting us this far.
“Toby and Andrew loved cycling, we believe that the rise in the popularity of the sport must be met by those with the responsibility to improve our transport infrastructure and improve education for drivers.”
Palmer, of Bude, Cornwall, also admitted a further count of dangerous driving in relation to another crash in September on the A30 near Okehampton.
He was released on conditional bail for the preparation of reports and will be sentenced on September 1.
Mr McMenigall lived in Edinburgh with his wife Anne and their two children, Jennifer, 15, and 12-year-old Lucy. He was a keen triathlete and had previously served as an officer in the Army before joining AAM.
Mr Wallace, who was married to Claire, lived in Philadelphia where he worked for AAM. He was born in the UK, went to school in Southampton and studied at Cambridge University before working in London, Sydney and the US.
Mr Wallace was also part of an eight-man team who rowed across the Atlantic last year to raise money for charity.
The bike ride was being held to raise money for the Kirsten Scott Memorial Trust, named after a 25-year-old colleague who died from cancer in 2011.
Mr McMenigall was also raising money for It’s Good 2 Give, an Edinburgh-based charity that offers support to people with cancer and their families. One of his daughters had been diagnosed with and recovered from a brain tumour.
Sally Moore, from law firm Leigh Day, who represents both Mrs Wallace and Mrs McMenigall, said: “Drivers of any vehicle, particularly a heavy goods vehicles, carry a significant level of responsibility to other road users, especially cyclists who are so vulnerable when mistakes are made.
“The deaths of Toby Wallace and Andrew McMenigall tragically illustrate the catastrophic consequences to cyclists and their families when complacency and lack of respect for other road users replaces that sense of responsibility.”
Martin Gilbert, chief executive of Aberdeen Asset Management, said last night: “I knew both Andrew and Toby well.
“They were dedicated and popular members of our senior team. The fact that they died in such tragic circumstances while trying to help others less fortunate tells you much about their selflessness and humanity. Our thoughts are with the families of Andrew and Toby. We will continue doing everything we can to support them.”