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Cyclist dies after collapsing on London-Brighton ride

Paramedics fight in vain to save stricken 48-year-old's life...

A 48-year-old cyclist taking part in yesterday’s London to Brighton ride collapsed on the way up Ditchling Beacon and despite being resuscitated by paramedics died later in hospital in Brighton.

The man, who came from Leighton Buzzard in Bedfordshire, has not yet been named, and according to event organisers the British Heart Foundation, it is the seventh fatality in the race’s 35-year history.

BBC News reported Nancy Prior, head of Events at the BHF, as saying: "We are deeply saddened that someone has died following the ride yesterday and extend our sincere condolences to their friends and family.”

She continued: "We are fully co-operating with the police and other authorities to investigate the circumstances."

Chief Inspector Laurence Taylor from Sussex Police stated: "This was a tragic incident and our sympathies go to the man's family.

"Medical staff accessed the scene quickly with St John Ambulance, paramedics and air ambulance attending, and the man was taken to hospital by ambulance under police escort.

"It is very sad that he later died."

Some of the 30,000 cyclists on the 54-mile ride, which is Europe’s largest charity bike ride were held up on the approach to Ditchling Beacon, at 814 feet the highest point on the route, as ambulance staff treated the collapsed cyclist.

Chief Inspector Taylor added: “I appreciate everyone's understanding and support during the day."

Simon joined road.cc as news editor in 2009 and is now the site’s community editor, acting as a link between the team producing the content and our readers. A law and languages graduate, published translator and former retail analyst, he has reported on issues as diverse as cycling-related court cases, anti-doping investigations, the latest developments in the bike industry and the sport’s biggest races. Now back in London full-time after 15 years living in Oxford and Cambridge, he loves cycling along the Thames but misses having his former riding buddy, Elodie the miniature schnauzer, in the basket in front of him.

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Pickypong | 14 years ago
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So sad

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