| Graduation Year | Class of 1968 |
| Date of Passing | Jul 31, 2010 |
| About | A Plymouth native was killed Saturday after he was struck by a truck while pedalling his recumbent bicycle through North Carolina. Albert Thomas Arnott, 59, was struck by a Dodge truck Saturday at 6:21 p.m. while riding on U.S. 601. He died at the scene about 3 miles north of Mocksville, said Sgt. Eric Hoffman of the North Carolina Highway Patrol. Arnott's friend, bail bondsman Mike Smith of Wilkes-Barre, said Arnott was injured 20 years ago in a tree-cutting accident while working as an arborist. After the injury, a doctor told Arnott he would never walk again. Arnott suffered brain damage and lost his coordination and mobility, Smith said. Smith said Arnott successfully traveled from California to New York on his recumbent bike while stopping throughout the country, making new friends. Smith said Arnott traveled to Wilkes-Barre this summer and stayed for about one month. Arnott left town two weeks ago to head back to his home in Phoenix, Ariz. "Rather than being stuck in a wheelchair, he went to a recumbent bike," Smith said. A recumbent bicycle allows the rider to pedal in a laid-back, reclined position. Smith met Arnott in the 1970s and they were friends since then. "I was burning wood and he was giving me firewood," Smith said. Although Arnott needed wheelchairs and hand crutches, he worked himself to a point where he could walk on the crutches and then pedal the recumbent bike, Smith said. "He was always good for a laugh," Smith said. "I always left him feeling good and he never felt sorry for himself." |
