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Updated: Rider killed in Severn Bridge Road Race named as Junior Heffernan

Rider was a member of the Herbalife Leisure Lakes Team - Police issue witness appeal and want to speak to anyone who filmed the race

Tributes have been paid to Herbalife Leisure Lakes rider Junior Heffernan, 23 from Yelverton in Devon, killed following a collision with a car during today's 41st edition of the annual Severn Bridge Road Race, which was abandoned at the request of riders shortly after the incident. 

Avon and Somerset police have since issued a witness appeal and are particularly keen to speak to anyone that was filming the race. The Collision Investigation Unit can be contacted by phone b calling 101 or online at this address http://www.avonandsomerset.police.uk/contact/crime_reporting/

According to riders we have spoken to the incident took place in the middle of the bunch which was fairly strung out on a fast descent of Vattingstone Lane near Olverston on the third lap of the 10 lap race not long after a break had been brought back and the car involved may have been either stationary or parked - the Severn Bridge Road Race is not a closed road event. However according to a later statement issued by Avon and Somerset Police the car was moving when the collision occurred.  

Heffernan had been widely identified on social media as the rider involved, and confirmation came this evening from the race organisers, the Bristol Road Club. Today's race was his first as part of the Herbalife Leisure Lakes Team which he joined at the start of this season. Writing in his blog, Ride with the Heff on Friday, he talked about the race and finished by giving a sneak preview of his new kit and said he would "follow up with some (hopefully) good news after the weekend!"

Brian Cookson, president of British Cycling, was among those who paid tribute to the young rider from Devon.

"This is a tragedy which will profoundly sadden everyone associated with cycling in this country," said Cookson. "My thoughts are with Junior's family and with his friends."

The Severn Bridge Road Race has its HQ, start and finish in the village of Old Down and is over 10 laps of a 6.6 mile road circuit which proceeeds anti-clockwise from the start at Old Down, taking in Alveston, Elberton, Olveston, and Tockington before finishing again at Old Down.

 

Simon joined road.cc as news editor in 2009 and is now the site’s community editor, acting as a link between the team producing the content and our readers. A law and languages graduate, published translator and former retail analyst, he has reported on issues as diverse as cycling-related court cases, anti-doping investigations, the latest developments in the bike industry and the sport’s biggest races. Now back in London full-time after 15 years living in Oxford and Cambridge, he loves cycling along the Thames but misses having his former riding buddy, Elodie the miniature schnauzer, in the basket in front of him.

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18 comments

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mingmong | 11 years ago
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RIP  2

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sean1 | 11 years ago
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Latest police statement and request for witnesses

http://www.thisisbristol.co.uk/Fatal-Severn-Bridge-Road-Race-crash-Witne...

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Bob's Bikes | 11 years ago
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How sad, my thoughts go out to all his friends and family.

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Sam1 | 11 years ago
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According to one of the Rapha guys riding yday, seems that the bunch were strung out full on, and Junior went on the wrong side of the road on a blind bend, straight into car head on  2

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doc replied to Sam1 | 11 years ago
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Sam1 wrote:

According to one of the Rapha guys riding yday, seems that the bunch were strung out full on, and Junior went on the wrong side of the road on a blind bend, straight into car head on  2

Best not to comment or pass on hearsay about the circumstances of this horrible incident, there will be an investigation and facts will be checked. This does not alter the immediate fact of a young rider's death, and at the moment condolences just feel so inadequate.

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Sam1 replied to doc | 11 years ago
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doc wrote:
Sam1 wrote:

According to one of the Rapha guys riding yday, seems that the bunch were strung out full on, and Junior went on the wrong side of the road on a blind bend, straight into car head on  2

Best not to comment or pass on hearsay about the circumstances of this horrible incident, there will be an investigation and facts will be checked. This does not alter the immediate fact of a young rider's death, and at the moment condolences just feel so inadequate.

Doc, this is not hearsay. This was from riders alongside him when it happened. Otherwise I wouldnt have posted it.

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Dr_Lex replied to Sam1 | 11 years ago
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Tragic; R.I.P.

Sam1 wrote:

Doc, this is not hearsay. This was from riders alongside him when it happened. Otherwise I wouldnt have posted it.

Unless you witnessed it, your comment is indeed hearsay, as doc points out.

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AnalogueAndy | 11 years ago
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Terrible, terrible news. I did not know Junior but he was clearly a gifted, gutsy rider. Condolences to his family, his friends, team mates and everyone who knew him or was there. So many people will be touched by this tragic news. The Severn Bridge RR is a really well supported and well organised event. Juniors death will leave a black cloud hanging over everyone involved with road racing in the UK.

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Bicycle Acciden... | 11 years ago
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Very sad news,our thoughts are with his family and friends at this time.

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Northbristolcyc... | 11 years ago
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From all the members of North Bristol Cycling Club our thoughts are with the family and friends of Junior.

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jasecd | 11 years ago
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RIP

Very sad news - I didn't know of him or even the race to be honest but it's all too common a report.

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Exustrek | 11 years ago
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Cyclingnews reports that officials have named Junior Heffernan as the rider. Tragic, R.I.P.

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Jon Burrage | 11 years ago
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shocking. I dont think a name has been confirmed but if the rumoured name is true then it is all too close to home. Competed in Tri's with this person around the south west - shell shocked to be honest.

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6654henry | 11 years ago
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Christ that's awful.

RIP

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mrmo | 11 years ago
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RIP,

can i ask, does anyone know the circumstances?

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notfastenough | 11 years ago
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RIP

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downfader | 11 years ago
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RIP.  2

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Jimmy Ray Will | 11 years ago
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Gutted... RIP Junior, I can't believe it.

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