The family of a "beautiful and kind" young woman who was left severely brain damaged after her bike collided with a bus is calling for tighter laws on cycle helmets.

Free spirited Sita Gartry spent years travelling the world - but a horrific accident in 2016 left her in a wheelchair and unable to eat, talk or move unaided.

The cruel twist-of-fate has "completely changed" the family; now they want to stop others from suffering the same heartache.

A "super-fit" yoga teacher who loved music and dancing, Sita amassed friends the world over and would "give anyone her last penny".

The Cambridge-educated 31-year-old, who spoke fluent Spanish, had only just returned home for a short visit, taking a summer job at Durham University after living and working in South America for a few years.

Sita with her aunty, Julie, who is campaigning for tighter laws on the wearing of cycle helmets

But nobody could have predicted the terrible accident that would change her - and her family's - lives forever.

"Sita loved her family," says aunt Julie Vialle, from Thornaby, "and was very excited to be back to see us.

"She was the baby of the family and everyone loved her.


"On her first morning to work she was staying with a friend in Newcastle, she didn't have much money left for bus fare and lunch so she borrowed her friend's bike.

"She set off to work but never returned as the same lovely girl."

Sita turned at a junction, failing to stop in time and crashed into the back of a bus.

She suffered a fractured skull in three places.

Sita spent years living and working in South America

"There was not a mark on her body," Julie added, "her head took the full force.

"If she'd had a helmet on, she would have been saved from the catastrophic brain injury she suffered.

"There have been many deaths and brain injuries like this over the years, maybe many could have been saved if there was a deterrent such as on the spot fine of £40.


"Young people don't think this will happen to them.

"I see teenagers riding to school with no helmet on and people going to work, it's horrific.

"Everyone at sometime in their life will ride a bike, our children, grandchildren."

The 31-year-old loved music and dancing and taught English around the world

Now Sita, who was brought up in Thornaby until the age of seven before moving to Newcastle, needs round-the-clock care and lives at a specialised home in Gosforth.

A charity evening held at The Village Club in Thornaby last year raised thousands towards a garage conversion, allowing her to come home twice a week.

"She has made a little progress," Julie said, "she can shake her head for 'no'.


"She still laughs when you tell a joke, she loves Absolutely Fabulous and The Simpsons and she has lots of friends who visit.

"The home where she lives is a lovely place.

"But everyone in the family is completely changed, this has devastated everyone.

Sita had been back in the North East for a few days, having spent years travelling in South America, when the accident happened

"My heart aches for her."

Julie is asking people to sign a UK Government petition that is currently running to make wearing a cycle helmet compulsory in public places and is also campaigning for the introduction of on-the-spot fines for those who don't comply.

"We want to raise awareness," she added.

"If people sign their name, it could save a life, maybe one of their own family in the future.

"In memory of all those who have died and who are still suffering, we must do something about this."

Sign the petition here.

