A hit-and-run postie mowed down a cyclist in rural Perthshire and left him “for dead” at the roadside.
Peter Burt drove his Royal Mail van into fellow postman Mike Haggart as he pedalled past Gloagburn Farm on the outskirts of Perth.
Burt “crushed” his colleague’s bike and continued driving for another 15 miles before he phoned police and told them he may have hit something.
The 56-year-old cyclist was severely injured in the smash and had to wear a back brace for three months.
“I’m not a vengeful person,” Haggart told us.
“But I struggle to have much sympathy for this man.
“He just left me for dead on the road. He could have killed me.”
Burt, from Crieff, appeared at Perth Sheriff Court and admitted driving without due care and attention on October 15, 2021.
He also pleaded guilty to driving away from the scene of an accident.
Bicycle ‘exploded’
The 53-year-old was suspended by the Royal Mail following the crash and later handed in his notice.
Mr Haggart didn’t know Burt, although they worked for the same company at the time.
“It’s a really strange coincidence,” Mr Haggart said.
He said he had been enjoying an early evening bike ride when Burt’s van approached from behind.
“I just remember hearing the noise of the engine growing louder and louder,” he said.
“The next thing I knew there was this almighty bang.
“I remember swearing and then flying through the air. It all went black when I hit the ground.”
Mr Haggart, who is now back at work, said: “It was a carbon bike with carbon wheels and it just exploded, like a bomb going off.
“It’s difficult to believe he wouldn’t have seen me.”
Passers-by ran to Mr Haggart’s aid and called emergency services.
Mr Haggart said he has almost fully recovered, but may have permanent nerve damage on his hip where the van struck him, leaving a cricket ball-sized lump.
Shattered and crushed
Fiscal depute Stuart Hamilton told the court: “At about 5.30pm, the complainer left his home, activated his cycle computer and went for a bike ride.
“It was still daylight, however he had a light fitted to the rear of the bicycle.
“He was alone and not wearing a helmet, but he had clothing with yellow reflective piping.”
The prosecutor said for 20 minutes Mr Haggart rode along the Tibbermore to Balgowan road without incident.
“Several vehicles had passed him by safely,” Mr Hamilton said.
“He was then struck from behind by the accused’s vehicle, which failed to stop.”
He told the court: “The complainer was left lying in the road.
“At about 6.10pm, emergency services were contacted and nurse practitioners assisted in stabilising the complainer whilst awaiting arrival of an ambulance.”
The fiscal depute said: “Police arrived shortly afterwards. They observed the complainer’s bicycle badly damaged.
“Its rear wheel was shattered, and the back light was still flashing.
“It was the officers’ impression that the bike had been crushed by the vehicle as it was in numerous pieces.”
The court heard pieces of Burt’s post van were “ripped off” and left at the scene.
Still receiving treatment
About 20 minutes later, Burt – who was 15 miles away – phoned police and told them he thought he might have hit something.
Around the same time, Mr Haggart was taken to Ninewells Hospital.
He was treated for a broken elbow, a fractured vertebrae, a cut to his head and sore hip.
“He advised police he is still receiving medical treatment,” said Mr Hamilton.
“The accused was traced and officers noted damage to his vehicle which was consistent with debris at the scene.”
Consequences were ‘significant’
Burt, who represented himself in court, was asked by Sheriff Gillian Wade for his response to the fiscal depute’s account.
“That sounds fair,” he said.
He confirmed he was a postman at the time of the crash, but was now working as a caretaker.
Burt had previously worked as a chef at the independent Strathallan School.
The sheriff told him Mr Haggart “suffered very significant consequences”.
She added: “I would like to know a bit more about your circumstances and get some insight into why you didn’t stop after the accident.”
Sentence was deferred for background reports until August 29.
