CYCLIST Irene Chattell suffered serious injuries in a road accident - just weeks after recovering from another crash.

Irene, from Deepdale, was completing a time trial on a busy road in Oxon on Sunday morning when her bike collided with a lorry.

The cycle club member - who uses her middle name Gillian - is girlfriend of top British cyclist Gething Butler (pictured).

She suffered a broken shoulder and other injuries in the accident, which happened between the Marcham and Milton interchanges.

Friend Peter Ward, of Ribble Valley Cycle Club, said: "I am shocked to hear Gillian's been in an accident.

"She was in a road accident in Lancashire just a few weeks ago, so this has come as a shock.

"I think she lives with Gething Butler - one of the country's most successful cyclists. They both love the sport and are very good cyclists."

Thames Valley Police are still investigating the accident and are waiting to talk to Gillan.

A police spokesman said: "Although it was a terrible accident Gillian's injuries are not life-threatening. But she may have been put off cycling for a while.

"This is a very busy, fast-moving stretch of road and she was relatively lucky, considering a lorry was involved in the accident."

Gillian is described as 'stable' in the intensive treatment unit of John Radcliffe Hospital in Oxford.

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