Aycliffe woman left with brain injury after bike crash near Darlington

Melanie Varley from Newton Aycliffe represented Great Britain on the world stage in the triathlon and was on the first qualifier race shortlist to compete for the Team GB Veterans at the 2018 European Championships prior to her life-changing accident.

Melanie was out cycling on a group ride on a steep downhill road when another rider performed a now-banned manoeuvre and lost control of their bike, sending her flying from her cycle.

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Moments before the collision in near Piercebridge, Darlington, in 2017 she had told the lead rider to slow down as others in the group were falling behind.

She spent five days in hospital with injuries including a fractured spine, multiple right shoulder fractures, a collapsed lung and nerve damage.

Following further tests, Melanie, a self-employed osteopath who has been forced to give up her business, was diagnosed with a brain injury.

Speaking for the first time she recalled how her life change in a “split second”.

Melanie Varley (Image: PR)

The 55-year-old said: “I remember we were on a steep decline and being alongside the rider when I saw him go into a super tuck. The next thing they had lost control and the bike collided with me.”

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The super tuck is a move which sees a rider sit on the bike’s top tube, rather than the saddle, and hunch forward, often with their chest resting on the handlebars. The UCI, cycling’s governing body, banned the super tuck in 2021.

Melanie added: “I must have briefly lost consciousness as when I came to, I was on the road side and felt immediate pain. I recall people being around me and a paramedic giving me some pain relief and that was it. The next thing I remember was being in hospital.

“Prior to the accident, I was used to living life at a fast pace and spinning lots of plates; my career, my physical training, domestic tasks, socialising and being a mum.

“However, all this changed in a split-second.

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“I initially thought that once I’d received some treatment and had a bit of time to recover from my injuries I’d be back to doing all these things again. However, I was nowhere near being able to do any of the things I enjoyed.

“Not only did I have to contend with my physical injuries, I kept mentioning I was struggling with headaches, dizziness and fatigue. To finally be diagnosed with a brain injury was, in a strange way, a relief as at least I had recognition of my symptoms and I could get treatment.

“Adjusting to life after the accident is still something that has been difficult. One of the hardest things to come to terms with has been giving up my business. I still suffer from weakness in my arm but I feel as though my brain doesn’t function as it used to. I’m starting to make progress but struggle with processing information, maintaining concentration and not being able to multi-task.”

Melanie, who volunteered for the Territorial Army and qualified as an army physical training instructor, underwent limited physiotherapy for her shoulder injuries.

After her accident she instructed lawyers to take over her case who helped her secure an undisclosed settlement to fund her rehabiliatation. 

Laura Mcilduff, specialist serious injury lawyer at Irwin Mitchell representing Melanie, said: “Melanie has faced an incredibly difficult few years trying to come to terms with what happened. It was only after further investigations that the full extent of her life-changing injuries was established. These have not just affected her but also her family.

“While nothing can make up for what she’s been through, we’re pleased to have secured Melanie this settlement. Through access to rehabilitation, she’s making progress in her recovery and this settlement will ensure she can continue to do so."

She has spoken out to coincide with Action for Brain Injury Week which is running until May 21 and is supported by the charity Headway.

This year’s campaign is entitled Take a Second and focuses on how it can take just a few seconds for someone’s life to be changed by a brain injury. More information is available at www.headway.org.uk