Bishopsteignton cyclist's death after collision with culvert remains a mystery

A 56-YEAR-OLD experienced cyclist died days after he was seriously injured coming off his bike in a country road.

Peter Doidge, a maintenance engineer from Bishopsteignton, suffered serious head injuries when he was thrown from his bike while cycling through Combeinteignhead on Friday, March 30.

Derriford Hospital

The bike entered a gully near Westborough House, Sackery, and collided with a covered culvert, throwing Mr Doidge from his bike.

He was airlifted to Derriford Hospital and died a week later, on April 6.

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Torbay and South Devon coroner Ian Arrow recorded the death as accidental at an inquest held in Torquay on Monday.

Mr Doidge's widow Marina said at the inquest: "I don't think we will ever know exactly what happened to him."

MPC Phil Rowan-Smith said he cycled the route 12 times to try to establish what caused the collision.

He estimated Mr Doidge was travelling at 17 to 20mph at the time of the collision.

The inquest was told Mr Doidge knew the road and cycled it often as his route to work.

MPC Rowan-Smith said there was no evidence of a collision or any puncture or mechanical fault prior to the accident.

He said: "The presence or interference from traffic cannot be determined."

Mr Doidge was not wearing a protective cycling helmet at the time.

A post-mortem established the cause of death as 1a pneumonia and 1b head injury.