RideLondon-Surrey 100 cyclist dies after heart attack

Organisers of the Pridential RideSurrey-London 100 have confirmed that a cyclist from Oxfordshire died after sustaining a cardiac arrest during yesterday's event, in which 27,000 people participated.

Robin Chard, aged 48 and from Bicester, was at Kingston Bridge 25 miles into the ride when the cardiac arrest happened.

Despite receiving treatment on the spot from fellow participants and medical personnel, he died later in Kingston Hospital.

His wife Vickie said: “Robin was doing something he loved to raise money for Cancer Research UK, a cause that was very important to him after losing his father, his mother’s partner and my mother to cancer.

"I’d like to thank everyone who has helped and supported Robin and me, especially the event stewards, the event team and the amazing staff at Kingston Hospital.”    

As of 1pm today, more than £11,000 had been raised through Mr Chard's Just Giving page, with many donations being made by fellow riders who took part in yesterday's event.

Organisers said: "Everyone involved in Prudential RideLondon would like to express our sincere condolences to Robin’s family and friends."

In a separate incident yesterday, a crash resulted in many of those taking part in the event to be held up as a rider was airlifted to hospital after crashing into a tree,

According to organisers, "a total of 33 riders were taken to hospital and, of those, seven riders remain in hospital. Three riders were seriously injured.

"The Prudential RideLondon medical team is liaising closely with the hospitals and the welfare team is supporting the families of the injured riders," they added.

The nature of the event means and the number of people taking part - equivalent to the population of a reasonably sized town - means that riders suffering illness or injury and even fatalities are sadly inevitable.

Two cyclists have died in previous editions of the event following heart attacks - Kris Cook, aged 36, during the 2014 edition and Stephen Green, 55, last year.