Tributes paid to Kinmel Bay cyclist killed in Flint

Feb 9 2012 by Dave Powell, Flintshire Chronicle

TRIBUTES have been paid to a cyclist who died after he was in a collision with a car in Flint.

Retired paramedic Alan Mort, 63, was pronounced dead at the Countess of Chester Hospital following the incident involving a Range Rover on the A548 on Sunday afternoon.

Ex-colleagues spoke of a ‘compassionate, respected’ paramedic while neighbours described a ‘quiet’ man.

John Gittins, acting coroner for North East Wales, opened a Wrexham inquest on Tuesday. He heard a post-mortem examination had given the provisional cause of death as a cervical spine fracture. The case was adjourned.

A spokesman for Welsh Ambulance Service said: “We are shocked and saddened by the tragic death of Alan and our thoughts are with his family at this sad time.

“Alan was greatly respected not just by his former colleagues in Flintshire but by staff across North Wales.

“He was a kind and gentle man who brought great compassion and care to the patients he treated during his time in the ambulance service.

“He was a role model to many of our current staff and will be sadly missed by all.”

Holywell paramedic Martin Lisin worked with Alan when he was based at Holywell ambulance station.

He said: “Everyone thought highly of Alan, he was such a nice bloke… a true gentleman. There was a lot of respect for him. He certainly taught me a lot in my career. He made everyone smile and he was a pleasure to work with.”

Neighbours in his home of Kinmel Bay are stunned at the death of Mr Mort. He is understood to have had a daughter.

Glen Sims, 70, said he was a serious and enthusiastic cyclist.

He said: “What’s happened is a shame. Alan knew how to ride safely. He would think nothing of cycling 50 or 70 miles a day. He would also go kayaking and play golf.

“At weekends, a pal would arrive in the close with a boat on a trailer and the men would go off for trips.”

Another neighbour Melissa Melling, 28, said: “He was a nice, quiet man.”

In cycling, Mr Mort was a popular Chester & North Wales Cyclists’ Touring Club member.

Last Spring’s edition of the Chester & North Wales CTC’s magazine, The Link, reported how he was in the winning Chester & North Wales team for the 2010 CTC National Tourist Competition.

Mr Mort did well in his first 300km event plus other categories. His team won the Tourist Competition for a record-equalling sixth time and finished on 676 points, 98 ahead of runner-up Huddersfield and District CTC.

A 44-year-old driver of a 4x4 car has been arrested and released on bail pending further enquiries.

Anyone with information about the crash, which happened at 12.38pm on Sunday, is asked to call PC 450 Aled Jackson on 101.