2008-12-18 - Rider Down/Fatality, Richmond Park

Cyclist dies after being found collapsed in Richmond Park

1:32pm Thursday 18th December 2008

A cyclist who died after being found collapsed in Richmond Park earlier this week has not yet been identified.

Police were called to the park shortly after 3pm on Wednesday, December 17, after a man was discovered on the road between Richmond Gate and Pembroke Lodge.
Ambulances were called and he was taken to Kingston Hospital but he died that afternoon.
Officers are seeking assistance to identify the man – who was not carrying ID – and find out what happened.
A postmortem examination had not been arranged when the Richmond and Twickenham Times went to press and cause of death is also unknown.
Royal Parks Police are investigating and have revealed the man was white, possibly in his 30s, about 6 feet tall and of thin build, he had short fair hair, no facial hair and wore Lycra cycling gear in black and grey.
They have also revealed his bike had a white and black Monoc frame.
Inspector Sarah Matthews, from Royal Parks Police, said: “At this stage, we are not sure if the man fell accidentally or if there was another reason for him falling off the bike.
Anyone with any information is asked to call 020 7161 9630 or Crimestoppers on 0800 555 111

Awful.

Awful.

Perhaps he suffered a heart attack or something similarly serious and came off as a result?

It sounds terrible. I really hope it wasn't a hit-and-run. I suppose to know more we'll have to wait for the inquest.

black day

Still no I.D?
Roll Safe everyone.

Truly horrible and so sad especially for this family.

it's still early day yet, I doubt relative would file a missing person report within one day.

from a post on veloriders:

Martyn Dobson from the Cleveland Wheelers, a good friend of mine has now been id'd and family notified. I'm absolutely gutted. It sounds like he collapsed whilst riding as opposed to being in an accident. I'd recommend not being a friend of mine at Christmas as that's 2 year's running within 10 days of the same date that a friend has died.

For those that don't know Martyn, he was a handy juvenile (Cleveland crit champ) and junior from the 90's. We got 4th in the Team Pursuit champs one year too.

I think I'm going to start carrying ID with me, and maybe even put a helmet on.

RIP Martyn

Apologies to anyone that knew him and had to find out through this forum.

sad

Here's hoping it was just a collapse then. Best way to go I suppose, doing something you love. Thoughts got to go out to the family. Just before Christmas is a real kick in the teeth.

Truly sad.

The point made about id is very true. Do carry id with a contact number of next of kin. Blood group/medical info/donor card also worth having available. I saw something a while back about "dogtags" for cyclists containing such data. Might be worth searching out again.

sad indeed. there's a names and numbers thread, could put emergency contact details in there, as we're reasonably unlikely to get completely dedded on the streets...

Very sad. Sounds like he may have just had a heart attack and collapsed. It does happen to fit young men in their thirties. Three footballers died in a similar way last year. Just collapased on the pitch. Truly tragic. You never know when your time is up!

Very sad. London Lite suggests he collapsed, too.

Plea to identify dead park cyclist; In brief
70 words
18 December 2008

 POLICE have appealed for help tracing the identity of a cyclist who collapsed in Richmond Park and later died. The man, described as white, thin, possibly in his thirties and around 6ft tall with short fair hair, was wearing black and grey cycling gear and was between Richmond Gate and Pembroke Lodge at 5pm yesterday.

Call police on 020 7161 9630.

I'm glad this unfortunate fellow has been identified. Very sad event. But somehow nice that he was on his bike at the time.

A school-friend of mine died last year from a heart attack. It seemed completely bizarre that a very fit slim guy in his mid thirties could just go like that. I keeping seeing, but can't delete, his mobile number on my phone. I have nothing else to remember him by but a few photos from 1989.

Truly sad.
The point made about id is very true. Do carry id with a contact number of next of kin. Blood group/medical info/donor card also worth having available. I saw something a while back about "dogtags" for cyclists containing such data. Might be worth searching out again.

I always carry one of my bank cards, which, apart from being useful if I need to bail on a train or cab or something, it also works for purchasing food AND has my name on it.

very very sad. same as hippy. I only bring my bank/credit card. might do a next of kin note next time

As everyone has mentioned , a very sad event.

There are a number of id tags available. One from the states is www.roadid.com .

I know from personal experience how important having id is when out training. I blacked out last year when out riding in the Alps , one minute I was at pushing hard trying to get a up a hill and the next I woke up lying in the middle of the road with a load of french people asking if I was dead. Earlier this year the same happened whilst swimming in a pool. A few lengths of warming up and then when i stopped for a breather, the lights went out and I was found face down in the water. Luckily for me on both occasions my girlfriend who is also a nurse was with me and was able to deal . However if it wasn't for her it could have been very difficult for people to have known who I was as I didn't have id with me.

Sudden cardiac arrest in young people (under 35) is a serious issue , 12 people of this age group are affected a week and for some reason is particular prevalent in fit people . I have had a number of tests this year to ascertain whether I have any defects in my heart and so far so good, but I am due to have further tests at a higher intensity as I have suffered some further symptoms in recent weeks.

http://www.c-r-y.org.uk has further information .

I guess most people know about putting an ICE (In Case of Emergency) number in their mobile? I usually have mine with me on a spin - if only to let the wife know I'm going to be later than planned if I flat? Apart from which, if you get into trouble somewhere like Richmond Park, the extra few minutes saved by someone being able to make an emergency call if there's a phone easily to hand may make all the difference?

Sudden cardiac arrest in young people (under 35) is a serious issue , 12 people of this age group are affected a week and for some reason is particular prevalent in fit people .

There have been a few pros and elite amateur level riders in recent years who have died of sudden cardiac arrest. There were the usual doping speculations but from what I've heard the real causes are largely unknown?

Glad you made it through those emergencies alive. It must be frightening to have that happen to you.

d.mac

Sorry to hear about your recent episode. Hope you are ok and can get riding again soon.

http://www.digitaldogtag.co.uk/?gclid=CJyy_ruj0JcCFc0e3godGk8hCw

Might be of use.

My wife is diabetic and always wears an SOS talisman, it helps a great deal.
http://www.icegems.co.uk/?gclid=CL618fyj0JcCFRpUEAodzUaQCg

d.mac

Sorry to hear about your recent episode. Hope you are ok and can get riding again soon.

Cheers Clive, hoping to be riding at Calshot at the end of Jan with the Rolla crew even if it just means some easy paced laps so should see you there.