Patients 'owe lives' to doctor killed in crash

Jon Woodthorpe, pictured with his wife Gillian, said Dr Sapsford was part of the team who saved his life

Patients of a Leeds cardiologist who was killed in a crash while cycling have praised him for saving their lives.

Dr Robert Sapsford, 59, was struck by a van while riding on Great North Road in Ledsham, near Castleford, last Monday morning.

He had spent more than three decades working in Leeds hospitals, where he "touched the lives of thousands".

Those he treated described him as a "legend" and "like a friend" who would be sorely missed.

Jon and Gillian Woodthorpe, from the Wetherby area, were among those helped by Dr Sapsford.

Jon, 61, needed an aortic valve replacement in 2011 and was in and out of hospital under Dr Sapsford's care.

"I fell ill again last Christmas and went into a coma," Jon said.

"It was Rob and the rest of the team that got me back out of it. It was reassuring for us that he was there."

Dr Sapsford felt "like a friend" to his many patients facing cardiac problems

His wife Gillian, 57, said Dr Sapsford was "genuinely like a friend" and went the extra mile by passing on his personal number in the couple's time of need.

"I'm enormously grateful and just so sorry he has left his family like this," she said.

"He had our backs in our lowest times, he was a legend."

When Jon's health took a turn for the worse earlier this year, Dr Sapsford was on hand to help again.

"I was close to death this spring and it was a massive team, which included Rob, that saved my life," Jon said.

"It feels so strange that I'm here and he's not.

"Whether I have five, 10 or 20 years left, I would not have that time with my family without him. I owe him my life."

Liz Barrett bonded with Dr Sapsford over their love of cycling

Liz Barrett, from Skipton, was equally as upset to hear about Dr Sapsford's death, having known him since 2018.

A keen cyclist, the 67-year-old had faced chest pains after a bike ride in 2010.

"I was given different tablets but having been a nurse for 40 years, I wasn't convinced it was a cardiac problem," she said.

"I was told Dr Rob would be the guy to talk to and it was him who found it was my ribs and breathing that were the problem.

"He was a cyclist too so I really bonded with him over that. He just really listened to me and I trusted him with my life."

Hearing how Dr Sapsford died struck a chord with Liz because it was a hobby they shared.

"As cyclists, we know every time we go on the road it is dangerous," she said.

"But we have a right to be there and it is so sad Rob went this way, when he deserved to enjoy his retirement with his family.

"He touched an awful lot of lives and was so well liked and respected."

Pam Dolan remembers Dr Sapsford's love of biscuits, which she asked family members to bring to the hospital

Pam Dolan, 56, became a patient of Dr Sapsford in 2010 when she was diagnosed with heart failure and arrhythmia.

"Dr Rob explained in detail what was going on within my body and the effects with little stick men diagrams - no question was silly, he took the time out to explain," she said.

"He’d walk in, shirt sleeves rolled up, big smile and a cheery 'now then Miss Dolan, what have you been up to?'."

Pam remembered a time Dr Sapsford had visited her on the ward, after she had open heart surgery.

"I was so drowsy with medication I thought he was the tooth fairy. He never let me forget that," she said.

Having found out about his love of biscuits, Pam arranged for her aunts to bring some in when she was discharged.

"He was affectionately known as Robbie Biscuit," she said.

"He would gracefully accept and say, 'I’ll share them with the team,' and wink.

"I actually thought they were put in his desk drawer and he’d have the odd nibble but finding out he did actually share with others leaves a rosy glow.

"There’s only one Robert Sapsford and I feel privileged to have been one of his many patients."

After the crash on Monday, the 29-year-old driver of a white Ford Transit van was arrested on suspicion of causing death by dangerous driving.

He has since been bailed pending further investigations by West Yorkshire Police, with the force asking anyone with information to come forward.

Listen to highlights from West Yorkshire on BBC Sounds, catch up with the latest episode of Look North or tell us a story you think we should be covering here.