Near-miss on epic Australian ride

The close encounter was 40 miles from Lloyd Scott's destination

A charity fundraiser cycling across Australia on a Penny Farthing narrowly escaped serious injury just 40 miles from the end of his seven-week ride.

Lloyd Scott's quest almost came to an abrupt end when the tyre of a lorry burst on the outskirts of Sydney.

After cycling more than 2,600 miles from Perth, the 43-year-old from Rainham, Essex, estimates the lorry missed him by just a few feet.

The ex-firefighter is raising money for Children with Leukaemia.

He said the near-miss left him in shock.

Toughest challenge yet

"It was like a bomb going off with pieces of rubber flying everywhere. I've had some very close shaves with road trains and trucks along this journey but never expected this.

"It just proves that until I reach Bondi Beach anything can happen."

The former leukaemia sufferer was left bruised by flying rubber but was otherwise unhurt.

Mr Scott, whose previous feats include a six-day plod around the course of the London Marathon wearing a deep sea diving suit, added: "I would be heartbroken if anything happened so close to completing this challenge, which has without doubt been my toughest yet."

The father-of-three intends to resume his journey on Wednesday and complete the challenge on Thursday.