‘Health issue’ link to death of cyclist

Erin Pearson
A “PRE-EXISTING” medical condition” could have caused a cyclist to fall into the path of a car in a fatal accident at Torquay this week, according to police.
The man, aged in his 50s, died on Horseshoe Bend Road soon after 6pm on Monday night.
Torquay Police said investigators were trying to determine whether the man’s unspecified medial condition was why he fell onto the other side of the road before his collision with a single vehicle travelling in the opposite direction.
Sergeant Jason Van Doren told the Independent the Major Collision Investigation Unit had ruled out a hit-run.
“We believe the man was riding south toward Torquay about one kilometre from home and for whatever reason he’s ended up lying in the north-bound lane,” he said.
“Unfortunately, a 21-year-old girl heading back to Barwon Heads was unable to see him and they’ve collided.
“From our inquires, we’ve determined there was nothing she could have done. She has stopped immediately but unfortunately it was too late.”
Police described the motorist as distressed after the accident.
Sgt Van Doren said police were unlikely to lay charges over the accident.
The victim was a husband and a father, he said.
Paramedics tried to revive the cyclist but he died at the scene.
The accident was the third road death of a cyclist on the region’s roads in the past 10 months.
Oberon High School teacher Ron Thompson, 61, died when his bike collided with a truck on Anglesea Road, Waurn Ponds, in October. Eight weeks later Rex Sizeland, 66, died after suffering serious head injuries in a collision with a car while cycling on a Breamlea Road with friends. Mr Sizeland was a father of four.
Victoria’s road toll so far in 2010 is 194 compared to 174 at the same time last year.