New Cross fashion designer gets compensation after suffering permanent brain damage at cycling event

A fashion designer has spoken for the first time about her battle to overcome a serious brain injury suffered when she was knocked down at an organised cycling event.

Alice Carvill-White, from New Cross, was attending the Nocturne cycling event in central London when she was struck by a cyclist on a designated crossing point.

A marshal had opened a gate to allow the then 28-year-old and a group of other people to cross seconds before the collision.

Alice, who was knocked unconscious, was taken to the Royal London Hospital with a skull fracture and bleed on the brain.

She later instructed expert serious injury lawyers at Irwin Mitchell to investigate and help her access the specialist rehabilitation and therapies she requires.

Speaking for the first time about the impact the incident has had on her life, Alice has joined her legal team at Irwin Mitchell in urging events companies to ensure they uphold safety at all times.

Corvus Security Ltd, which was responsible for manning the crossings at the event which Alice attended in June 2017, admitted liability.  Alice has now received an undisclosed settlement.

Alice attended the event on 10 June, 2017, with her partner William Hurd, 35. The couple were planning to leave after the women’s race at around 9.30pm.

Alice, who at the time worked for a major online retailer, spent four days in hospital including an overnight stay in intensive care.

She suffered from severe headaches, dizziness, fatigue, memory loss and found it difficult to find the right words when speaking with family and friends.

Alice, now, 31, was a keen cyclist and has been reluctant to return to the sport she loved due to this incident. She still suffers fatigue and word finding issues.

She said: “I don’t remember much for 24 hours after being knocked unconscious. I just remember coming round in hospital and being told about what happened and my injuries.

“Even with everything the medical staff did for me the last few years have been incredibly difficult.

“Me and William were always a 50-50 partnership but after coming home from hospital I relied on him so much.

“The headaches were constant; I was unable to walk unaided and spent most of my time either in bed or on the sofa as I was that tired.”

Last year Alice underwent further tests where it was established she had suffered permanent brain damage.

She added: “When I found out I had permanent brain damage I left the consultation and just started crying.

“My cognitive symptoms are improving but I still suffer from fatigue and can’t always find the words to what I want to say. This means people don’t always understand me which knocks my confidence.

“I try to put on a brave face over what happened but it’s turned my life upside down. I’m determined to try and get as much as my old life back as possible but I just hope people realise the hurt and damage they can cause by lapses in safety.”

Natasha Fairs, the expert serious injury lawyer at Irwin Mitchell representing Alice, said: “The extremely serious injuries Alice suffered through no fault of her own have had a profound effect on her life.

“Her case is a stark reminder of not only how injuries can continue to affect people long after the physical signs have disappeared but also of the need for safety at public events to be upheld at all times.

“While Alice has made great progress in her recovery she still faces many challenges ahead.

“It’s vital that lessons are learned from her case to prevent others suffering like Alice has.”