The devoted daughter of a fit and healthy 70-year-old cyclist who lost his life when an elderly motorist ploughed into him, is campaigning for a law change after it was revealed in court the “reckless” driver could only see three metres ahead. Emma Damen’s dad, Jim Tassell, a retired accountant, suffered a fatal head injury after he was catapulted off his bicycle on a country lane in Andover, Hampshire, on July 23 last year, when 82-year-old Peter Gardner’s car collided into the back of him.
Despite the tragic event which cut the grandfather-of-two’s life short, Jim was able to fulfil his wishes of becoming an organ donor – and has already saved two lives. Now, in memory of her “heroic” father, bank team manager Emma, 41, is running 10 miles next month to raise funds for the Air Ambulance Service who did everything they could to save her father – who leaves behind his loving wife, retired school assistant, Stephanie Tassell, 69.
Emma lives in Andover with her husband, 50-year-old operations manager Glenn Damen and their children, Noah, 15, and Katie, 12. She is pushing for eyesight tests for those who are over 70 and seeking to renew their driving license.
