This article is from the source 'bbc' and was first published or seen on . It will not be checked again for changes.

You can find the current article at its original source at http://news.bbc.co.uk/go/rss/-/1/hi/wales/north_east/6226498.stm

The article has changed 5 times. There is an RSS feed of changes available.

Version 0 Version 1
Cycle driver 'wished he was dead' Cycle driver 'wished he was dead'
(about 2 hours later)
An inquest into the deaths of four cyclists killed by an out-of-control car has heard how the driver often wished he had died instead of them.An inquest into the deaths of four cyclists killed by an out-of-control car has heard how the driver often wished he had died instead of them.
Robert Harris also said he was driving too fast before his vehicle collided with members of the Rhyl Cycling Club on an icy road near Abergele, Conwy.Robert Harris also said he was driving too fast before his vehicle collided with members of the Rhyl Cycling Club on an icy road near Abergele, Conwy.
A statement by the 47-year-old security guard was read to the inquest jury.A statement by the 47-year-old security guard was read to the inquest jury.
It said Mr Harris constantly recalled the "tragic day".It said Mr Harris constantly recalled the "tragic day".
His barrister Peter Freeman said Mr Harris also offered his "deepest sympathies to the families".His barrister Peter Freeman said Mr Harris also offered his "deepest sympathies to the families".
Mr Harris, from Abergele, was on his way to work as a security guard at B&Q on the morning of the 8 January 2006.Mr Harris, from Abergele, was on his way to work as a security guard at B&Q on the morning of the 8 January 2006.
As a family man, Mr Harris struggles to comprehend the impact of the bereaved's sudden and terrible losses Statement on behalf of motorist Robert HarrisAs a family man, Mr Harris struggles to comprehend the impact of the bereaved's sudden and terrible losses Statement on behalf of motorist Robert Harris
The four cyclists - Thomas Harland, 14, Maurice Broadbent, 61, Dave Horrocks, 55, and Wayne Wilkes, 42 - were killed when the car, a Toyota Corolla, collided with the group on the A547.The four cyclists - Thomas Harland, 14, Maurice Broadbent, 61, Dave Horrocks, 55, and Wayne Wilkes, 42 - were killed when the car, a Toyota Corolla, collided with the group on the A547.
The cyclists had not long set out on a 60-mile Sunday club ride to Llandudno's Great Orme.The cyclists had not long set out on a 60-mile Sunday club ride to Llandudno's Great Orme.
Mr Freeman read out the statement at the inquest at Abergele town hall.Mr Freeman read out the statement at the inquest at Abergele town hall.
"Mr Harris has always wanted to express his deepest sympathies to the families."Mr Harris has always wanted to express his deepest sympathies to the families.
"He has been mindful of the possible pain that might be caused by any approach by him."He has been mindful of the possible pain that might be caused by any approach by him.
The four cyclists had just started on their 60-mile ride
"Mr Harris is very aware that nothing he can say or do will end the bereaved's suffering," the statement read."Mr Harris is very aware that nothing he can say or do will end the bereaved's suffering," the statement read.
"As a family man Mr Harris struggles to comprehend the impact of the bereaved's sudden and terrible losses."As a family man Mr Harris struggles to comprehend the impact of the bereaved's sudden and terrible losses.
"He cannot and does not see a member of his own family without feeling the pain of the bereaved's losses," Mr Freeman added."He cannot and does not see a member of his own family without feeling the pain of the bereaved's losses," Mr Freeman added.
Mr Harris accepted he was driving too fast and the statement described how the rear end of the car had slid on the icy road.Mr Harris accepted he was driving too fast and the statement described how the rear end of the car had slid on the icy road.
'Haunted''Haunted'
He said in the statement he constantly recalled the "tragic day" and "did not set out intending to harm or even upset anyone".He said in the statement he constantly recalled the "tragic day" and "did not set out intending to harm or even upset anyone".
The four cyclists had just started on their 60-mile ride
Mr Harris added he hoped "the bereaved accept how hard he fought - in those fateful seconds - to control his car and avoid the cyclists".Mr Harris added he hoped "the bereaved accept how hard he fought - in those fateful seconds - to control his car and avoid the cyclists".
He said he had often wished he had not set off to work at all and that he had died instead.He said he had often wished he had not set off to work at all and that he had died instead.
In the statement Mr Harris said there was very little he could say because the crash happened so quickly.In the statement Mr Harris said there was very little he could say because the crash happened so quickly.
He added that the interview he gave to the police only three days afterwards provided all the information he could offer.He added that the interview he gave to the police only three days afterwards provided all the information he could offer.
He said he was "haunted" by the events but fully appreciated that his suffering was minimal compared to that of the bereaved.He said he was "haunted" by the events but fully appreciated that his suffering was minimal compared to that of the bereaved.
Mr Harris said he wished "there was more he could do than express his deepest sympathies."Mr Harris said he wished "there was more he could do than express his deepest sympathies."
Last August, Mr Harris was fined £180 with £35 costs and given six points on his licence after admitting having defective tyres.Last August, Mr Harris was fined £180 with £35 costs and given six points on his licence after admitting having defective tyres.
However the court heard the defective tyres were not a factor in the accident.However the court heard the defective tyres were not a factor in the accident.
The inquest continues.The inquest continues.