Yahoo News Cyclist on organised Dartmoor ride found dead in ditch
A retired research scientist died while taking part in an organised cycle ride on Dartmoor, an inquest has heard. Oliver Robinson was found unresponsive in a ditch on the B3212 by Leeper Cross on May 12, 2024.
An inquest into his death was opened at Exeter Coroner's Court. It was heard the 56-year-old, who was born in Taunton and lived in Launceston, passed away at around 4.40pm where he was discovered, despite the best attempts of emergency services.
Senior coroner Philip Spinney said: "The circumstances of the death are May 12, 2024, Oliver was a participant in an organised sporting cycle ride on Dartmoor. He was found by a cyclist on the side of the road in a ditch unresponsive.
Read next:
"Despite medical assistance at the scene by paramedics and the air ambulance, Oliver was pronounced deceased at the scene.
"A post mortem has been completed and there has been no medical cause of death ascertained as of yet. An inquest is required to establish the circumstances surrounding the death. There are no suspicious circumstances."
Police stated following Oliver's death that a cyclist had died after suffering serious head wounds on Shapley Common, near Moretonhampstead.
A police spokesperson said: "Police were called to reports of a road traffic collision involving a bicycle on the B3212 on Shapley Common, near North Bovey, Moretonhampstead, at around 3.40pm on Sunday, May 12. South West Ambulance Service, Devon Air Ambulance and Devon & Cornwall Police attended the incident.
"A 56-year-old male pedal cyclist was located on the verge. Despite the efforts of those attending, he was subsequently pronounced deceased at the scene. His next of kin have been informed. The B3212 between Challacombe Cross and Jurston Cross was closed while police investigated this collision. The road reopened at around 7.20pm."
A full inquest will be held at a later date.
