Get all your news in one place.
100’s of premium titles.
One app.
Start reading
Evening Standard
Evening Standard
Entertainment
Dominique Hines

Dan Walker slams claims that bike helmets ‘aren’t important’ after headgear saved his life

Dan Walker has hit back at naysayers who have insisted that bike helmets “aren’t important" following a recent cycling accident.

The TV presenter revealed that his bicycle crash with a car in Sheffield on Monday left him “battered and bruised”, but that wearing a helmet saved his life.

While there was an outpouring of support from fans, Walker, 45, has said some have gone against widely-known safety advice by telling him that wearing head protection wasn’t necessary.

After checking out of hospital, the Channel 5 presenter tweeted: “It’s odd to get lectured by people telling me that bike helmets aren’t important...

“The emergency services at the scene yesterday told me I probably wouldn’t be here if I wasn’t wearing one.

Walker inside a Yorkshire Ambulance Service (YAS) with paramedics who told him his helmet saved his life (@mrdanwalker/Twitter)

Walker continued: “Funny old world! I hope you’re having a good Tuesday. Soup through a straw for lunch.”

One fan echoed the sentiment, tweeting under the post: “I can’t believe the mentality about helmets. Why on earth wouldn’t you wear one!

“I know several people who only survived accidents by wearing a helmet. Glad you are on the mend!”

While another wrote: “Came off my bike years ago, split the helmet down the back – that would’ve been my skull. Lucky to only come away with a concussion and a scrape on my side.”

Following Walker’s accident, he was replaced on Monday’s Channel 5 News by Tessa Chapman, who wished him well.

Walker said he was “amazed” to have not broken any bones (dan walker/Instagram)

Many of his former Strictly Come Dancing co-stars, including Rose Ayling-Ellis, Tom Fletcher, John Whaite and judge Motsi Mabuse, also shared their well-wishes.

Walker, who used to work on BBC Breakfast, had been rushed to hospital on Monday and said he was “amazed" to have not broken any bones.

“The helmet I was wearing saved my life today so, if you’re on a bike, get one on your head," he tweeted.

He also posted photos from inside a Yorkshire Ambulance Service (YAS) vehicle alongside two members of staff.

He said he had been “blown away by all the lovely messages” he had received.

Sign up to read this article
Read news from 100’s of titles, curated specifically for you.
Already a member? Sign in here
Related Stories
Top stories on inkl right now
One subscription that gives you access to news from hundreds of sites
Already a member? Sign in here
Our Picks
Fourteen days free
Download the app
One app. One membership.
100+ trusted global sources.