A KEEN cyclist died at the Olympic velodrome after crashing into another rider and flying over the handle bars, an inquest heard.
Paul Atkinson, 55, was tragically killed while competing at the Lee Valley VeloPark, in Stratford, East London, on March 22.
Paul Atkinson, 55, sadly died after a “tragic” accident at Lee Valley VeloPark, in Stratford, East London[/caption]
An inquest into his death at East London Coroner’s Court heard Paul collided with another cyclist and went over his handlebars.
He then hit his head on the ground and displayed signs of “neurological trauma”.
The London Ambulance Service arrived on the scene within five minutes.
The 55-year-old’s heart stopped and CPR was administered by paramedics.
Paul was sadly pronounced dead at 12.55pm at the Royal London Hospital, after over an hour of resuscitation attempts.
Senior coroner Graeme Irvine told the inquest that Paul, who was a member of road cycling club Velo Club St Raphael, had “a collision with another bicycle”.
Mr Irvine called the incident “tragic” and “dreadfully sad”.
A post-mortem examination gave his provisional cause of death as “traumatic cervical spine fracture”, the inquest was told.
Michael Waite, secretary of Velo Club St Raphael, described club member Mr Atkinson’s death as “devastating”.
In a moving tribute he said: “Paul was a credit to Velo Club St Raphael over many years as a rider and a person.
“He will be sadly missed by his family and the club.”
Mr Irvine told the inquest that Lee Valley VeloPark, which was built for the London 2012 Olympic Games, will need to provide CCTV from the incident.
He also requested statements from all staff present and set the date for the full inquest on October 13.
British Cycling – England’s national governing body for the sport – confirmed it had launched its own separate investigation into Paul’s death.
A spokesperson said: “We sincerely thank the local ambulance and police services, as well as the volunteers, first aiders and Lee Valley VeloPark staff, for their swift and dedicated response.
“Paul was regarded highly by the wider cycling community and will be missed by all who knew him.
“Our thoughts are with Paul’s family and friends.”
A spokesman for Lee Valley VeloPark would not comment on the coroner’s investigation.
They said: “We will support British Cycling in its investigation if and when required.”