Dan Walker: Presenter ‘confident’ he is not to blame for bike crash

Broadcaster Dan Walker has said he is “confident that I am not to blame” after he was hit by a car while on his bike earlier this week.

The former BBC Breakfast presenter was struck off his bike on Monday morning while riding on a road in central Sheffield.

Writing in The Sunday Times, the 45-year-old said he “could have died” but confirmed he is unable to remember any details of the accident.

“There is still nothing there, which a large part of me is very happy about. I can’t go into details at the moment because the police might take another week or so to publish their report but, after talking to Conor (a police officer), I am confident that I am not to blame and I hope this can be resolved outside the courts,” he said.

“I know I could have died but I also know how easy it is to make a mistake, even when you’re trying to be careful.

“I can’t really remember what they (the driver) looked like, from that moment they were looking over me as I came round, but I do recall that they looked deeply distressed and I imagine it is all they are thinking about at the moment.

“That Monday could have been the day that changed their life for ever. I asked Conor if I would be able to talk to the driver if they were OK with that. I’ll let you know what happens.”

Presenter hopes to return to work next week

Walker thanked the police, NHS and ambulance services, as well as friends, family and members of the public who helped him following the crash.

He said he has hated “doing nothing” and confirmed he hopes to return to his role as a Channel 5 news anchor next week.

“As long as the swelling and bruising have gone down, I think I will go back to work later this week,” he wrote.

Read more:
Dan Walker warns cyclists after bike crash
Police say ‘enquiries ongoing’ into bike crash which left presenter with bloodied face

‘Don’t be a helmet. Wear a helmet’

In several social media posts after the accident Walker has said the helmet he was wearing saved his life.

In his article for The Sunday Times he writes: “If anyone is looking for a new campaign slogan for cyclists, may I humbly suggest the message on some of the flowers which arrived this week: ‘Don’t be a helmet. Wear a helmet.'”

On Wednesday a spokesperson for South Yorkshire Police told Sky News: “No arrests have been made and enquiries are ongoing.”

Walker left the BBC to join Channel 5 last year and took part in the 2021 series of Strictly Come Dancing.