4 Bicyclists Seriously Injured When Struck By Truck's Lift Gate

PORT RICHEY, FL -- Four bicyclists remain hospitalized with serious injuries after being struck by a lift gate that dislodged and fell open on a tractor-trailer truck on Ridge Road in Port Richey Monday night.

According to Port Richey Police, the accident happened just before 7:30 p.m. when a lift opened on a Florida Cancer Specialist truck heading east on Ridge Road near Leo Kidd Avenue. At the time, seven bicyclists were riding in a group on the sidewalk along Ridge Road and four of them were hit by the gate.

Not realizing the gate has fallen open, the truck driver drove on but was pulled over by police and is cooperating with the investigation.

The four bicyclists were taken to Regional Medical Center Bayonet Point with serious injuries.

The names of the injured cyclists have not been released.