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R Swain complains about puddle photo
Page 7
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CM COVER STORY By isi.opher Walton and Laura Hailstone KENT HAULIER R Swain & Sons is to submit a complaint to the Press Complaints Commission regarding a photograph that appeared in several national newspapers over the weekend apparently showing one of its vehicles splashing a cyclist on the side of the road.
The incident took place on the afternoon of Friday 13 November in Horndean, Hampshire.
According to a written statement provided by the driver, the vehicle was parked in a lay-by as she took her break.
She was approached by a woman who asked her to participate in a picture she required for an art project. After the driver had finished her break, the cyclist set off and waved the vehicle forward so they both got to the puddle at the right time to get the maximum effect for the photograph. Paul Burridge, commercial director at R Swain & Sons, says: "There are three issues from our point of view: the damage the image could have on us as a company; the damage the photo could have on the industry as a whole; and the damage the image has on our driver.
"We will pursue this as far as we reasonably can to get our name cleared."
The photograph was taken by freelance photographer Rod Kirkpatrick. He told CM there was no collusion in creating the image. "It was not a set up," he says. do not know who the woman is [on the bicycle]. The photograph was just to show how bad the weather was."
Neil TUrner, speaking on behalf of the Board of The British Press Photographers' Association, says: "If the account is accurate, then the part played by the cyclist is wrong.
"The driver, however, needs to accept that she has been more than a little foolish to take part," he adds.