Inquest Coverage

The inquest into Simon Richardson's death took place 8 March 2022 and the result was a narrative verdict.

The family heard Forensic Collision Investigator Luke Webb stand by his conclusion that Simon most likely lost control of his bike on a straight, flat, road that he knew well as he was drinking from his water bottle at the exact same moment as David Pratt was overtaking.

Mr Webb came to this conclusion in spite of Simon having ridden over 43,000 miles* on his road bike without falling off – except when he was hit by a car – and Mr Webb never having come across a case where a cyclist fell off his bike whilst taking a drink.

* not counting the 30 years before Strava

Simon preparing for a bottle change whilst on a training camp in Haute-Garonne.

Simon having a snack at the Wiggle Magnificat.

The only person who claimed to have seen Simon drinking (but later changed her story) was David Pratt's partner Katrina Fox, the passenger in the Toyota Yaris. Katrina Fox claimed that in spite of passing Simon widely and never seeing him crash, she was so concerned for his welfare that she told David Pratt to turn around to look for Simon.

However, even though Simon was wearing a bright blue gilet and the bike had flashing front and rear lights, Katrina Fox claimed that they couldn't find Simon, who was lying dying by the road side less than 70m away from where they turned around before driving past him. The reason Katrina Fox gave was that she was "looking for a person" and not a bike.

Mr Webb wrote in his report that there were no marks on Mr Pratt's wing mirror, but when shown his own photographs from the scene at the inquest, Mr Webb conceded that indeed there were marks.

The post mortem had already established that there were no medical reason for Simon to come off his bike.

The family expressed their gratitude to Ms Craciun and her partner for trying to save Simon's life.

Questions remain over death of cyclist in Oxfordshire, says coronerPolice said Simon Richardson collided with tree – but top lawyer tells inquest he believes a close passing driver was responsible

Mystery remains over why experienced cyclist diedTHE family of an experienced cyclist who was killed while riding in Henley are calling for greater awareness. Simon Richardson, 58, died on April 4 last year as he was cycling on Marlow Road away from Henley. He was found in a ditch by the side of the...

Family 'can't fathom' how experienced cyclist died on 'flat, straight' Oxfordshire roadThe wife of a former Olympic sailor and experienced cyclist who had pedalled more than 43,000 miles ‘could not fathom’ how he came to die on an…

Inquest into Cyclist Death Concludes With Inconclusive Verdict - Henley HeraldAn inquest into the death of experienced cyclist, Simon Richardson, who sustained multiple injuries after crashing into trees on 4 April 2021 on the...

Page updated

Google Sites

Report abuse