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A cyclist has released shock footage showing the moment a group of riders is mowed down by a passing car.

Martin Wills was riding with other members of the Yeovil Cycle Club, including his wife Sandra, on November 23, 2017.

As they were travelling through the village of Mudford near Yeovil, a car ploughed through the line of cyclists.

The footage shows the riders catapulted off their bikes and left in a heap in the road as the car drives into the distance.

Michael Tarrant, 81, of Thornwell Way, Wincanton, admitted dangerous driving at Taunton Crown Court on Monday (July 9).

He denied a more serious charge of causing serious injury by dangerous driving, which was dropped.

After the hearing, Mr Wills told Somerset Live: “It's pretty much what we hoped for.

"Mr Tarrant is off the road so won't be a danger to other road users.”

At the time, Somerset Live reported that three people were taken to Yeovil District Hospital for treatment.

Mr Wills said his wife had a broken finger, cracked ribs and a bump on the back of her head after the crash, which knocked her out.

Describing the effect the crash has had on their lives, Mr Wills said: “My wife is still having treatment for a broken finger.

“Her ribs have mended and she has largely recovered from the concussion she suffered, but has been left with bad tinnitus.

“One of the other cyclists...lost part of her ear and suffered a deep cut to her leg," he claimed.

“All of us have experienced flash backs of the incident and are still spooked by cars passing close from behind."

Mr Wills released footage of the crash in a bid to raise awareness.

He said: “The first shows my wife Sandra being hit. The second video shows one of the group being knocked off and crashing into me.”

The footage, which some may find distressing to watch, shows the moment of impact. Cyclists are sent flying as the car hits them on the A359.

Dangerous driving and the law The CPS explains the difference between dangerous driving charges on its website. It says: "The offence of dangerous driving under section 2 of the Road Traffic Act 1988 is committed when a person's standard of driving falls far below what would be expected of a competent and careful driver and it would be obvious to a competent and careful driver that driving in that way would be dangerous. "Dangerous driving is an either way offence carrying a level 5 fine and/or six months' custody in the magistrates' court. "In the Crown Court, the maximum penalty is two years' imprisonment and/or an unlimited fine. "Wherever the case is dealt with, the court must disqualify the driver from driving for at least a year and order an extended retest." Causing serious injury by dangerous driving The CPS says: "The offence is committed when the manner of the defendant's driving is dangerous and results in another person suffering a serious physical injury. "Serious injury is defined as...physical harm which amounts to grievous bodily harm for the purposes of the Offences Against the Person Act 1861." "The offence carries a level five fine and/or six months' custody in the magistrates' court with a mandatory disqualification period of at least two years (unless special reasons are found not to disqualify) and endorsement. An extended retest is also mandatory." The offence was introduced in 2012. What is grievous bodily harm? The CPS says: "The words 'grievous bodily harm' bear their ordinary meaning of really serious. "Ultimately, the assessment of harm done is a matter for the jury, applying contemporary social standards."

In the most shocking clip, a cyclist is somersaulted off her bike and left lying still on the ground.

Tarrant had denied a charge of causing serious injury by dangerous driving.

But he admitted a lesser charge of dangerous driving when he appeared at Taunton Crown Court, which was accepted by the prosecution.

He was disqualified from driving for two years and must taken an extended re-test.

He was handed a conditional discharge lasting 18 months and was ordered to pay a victim surcharge of £20.

In an interview in November 2017, Mr Wills described the aftermath of the crash, with injured cyclists and wrecked bikes littered along the roadside.

He highlighted the important role of cycle helmets - which all the riders were wearing.

And he also praised people who helped, including paramedics and hospital staff.

'The first I knew was a heavy blow' - rider's account of crash In an interview with Somerset Live ten days after the crash, Martin Wills gave his account of what happened. He can be seen in the video leading the group of cyclists. He said: “The first I knew was a heavy blow to my right buttock. "This sent me off balance and I fell heavily with my bike landing on top of me. “Propping myself up, I found I was looking north along the road we had come down. “One of the riders was lying in the road a few feet away with her wrecked bike next to her. "Another rider, who had miraculously escaped injury, was putting my wife, who was unconscious, into the recovery position. “A few metres beyond them, another one of the riders was lying in the road. “Several cars had stopped and three of the occupants were first aiders, who immediately joined us attending the three prone ladies. “As I was speaking to my wife she regained consciousness but had no recollection of what had happened or where she was. “Two people were attending to another of the riders so I had a look at one of the other riders, who was in shock and shivering violently. “Her bike lay behind her completely wrecked. A lady from a following car covered her with a coat and stayed monitoring her. “I returned to my wife and within 15 minutes the ambulances and paramedics arrived. Mr Wills said the crash highlighted the importance of wearing cycle helmets. He said: I am not aware of the full extent of the injuries sustained. Apart from being knocked unconscious, my wife sustained a broken finger, cracked ribs, a bump on the back of her head and various bruises. I had cuts and bruises. "Thank goodness we wear helmets." Mr Wills praised and thanked those who helped the riders. He said: “The emergency services did a brilliant job. The paramedics, ambulance and first aiders were all brilliant. "Yeovil Hospital also treated us quickly, efficiently and with compassion during this stressful incident."

Do you have a story to share? Let us know. Get in touch using james.wood@reachplc.com.com, call 07870 505 906 or tweet me @JamesWood24

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