Teen halts round-world unicycle ride after near miss with car

A British teenager aiming to become the first person to unicycle around the world has suspended his adventure after almost being hit by a car.

Ed Pratt, 19, who is aiming to become the first person to unicycle around the world has suspended his adventure after almost being hit by a car. Image by World Unicycle Tour/PA Wire

Ed Pratt left his home in Curry River, near Taunton, Somerset, in March to begin his 18,000-mile one-wheeled adventure.

The 19-year-old carries a tent, sleeping bag, camping stove and other kit in panniers attached to his 36in Nimbus Oracle unicyle.

He crossed Europe in March and cycled through to central Asia, conquering torrential rain, sub-zero conditions and rough roads.

He reached Aktobe in Kazakhstan and set off on a slushy road, with temperatures at minus 3C.

Three miles after leaving Aktobe, a hatchback travelling in the opposite direction spun on the road, crossed the central line and headed towards Mr Pratt.

He jumped off his unicycle – leaving it to smash to the ground – and sprinted to the sludge-covered bank.

The spinning hatchback crashed into a car overtaking Mr Pratt, with one of the drivers left limping from his vehicle.

Mr Pratt, who aims to complete the charity trip in two years to raise funds for global education charity School In A Bag, decided to suspend his challenge due to the road conditions.

“After I had established that no one was badly hurt, I picked up the uni and walked the 300 metres to the nearby fuel station,” he said.

“After kindly being set up with tea and cake, I sat down to have a serious think. I potentially had another 1,000 miles of these ice-covered roads.

“I felt the risk of a repeat of an incident like this was too high. And I knew that once away from civilisation, the traffic would mainly consist of heavy lorries thundering down the highway.

“What if one of these lost control? I’d have no chance. Was it really worth risking my life for this ride?

(Press Association)