Cyclist dies during 54-mile London to Brighton charity bike ride sparking police investigation

Police have launched an investigation after a cyclist died on a charity bike ride.

Police said the driver was a man in his 60s after he was found dead at the scene in Smallfield, Surrey.

1

Event organizers promptly changed the route of the annual ride to the seaside town to distract other cyclists from the tragic scene.

The name of the deceased man has not yet been released by the police. His body will be subjected to an autopsy to determine the exact cause of death. An inquest will be opened and adjourned by the Surrey coroner next week.

A Surrey Police spokesman said this evening: “Officers were called at 9.56am this morning from the South East Coast Ambulance Service, whose crews were responding to a medical emergency on Redehall Road, Smallfield involving a cyclist who was involved in the London Cycle Tour.” Brighton Cycle Tour.

“Unfortunately, the cyclist, a man around 60 years old, died at the scene of the accident. His next of kin have been informed.”

“Road closures were imposed and event marshals rerouted the route for the remaining cyclists. The road closures have now been lifted and all roads are open.”

“We are asking all witnesses to this incident to come forward to assist in our investigation into the circumstances.”

This charity bike ride is the oldest in Europe – thousands of people are taking part in the 54-mile route from the capital to the beach, raising vital funds for life-saving research. The driver died in Smallfield, the British Heart Foundation (BHF) told local media.