A CORONER has ruled the unexplained death of a cyclist in Dockenfield in July was an accident.

Patrick Ross Williams, 57, was found in a quiet country lane in Bower Hill at around 5pm on Sunday, July 12, with a serious head injury.

He was taken to St George’s Hospital in Tooting by air ambulance but died two days later as a result of “catastrophic” damage to his brain.

An inquest into his death on Wednesday, September 23, at Basingstoke Law Courts heard Mr Williams was not wearing a cycle helmet and his blood alcohol level was around twice the legal limit for driving at the time of the accident.

Forensic collision investigator Pc Tracey Saunders said there was no evidence that Mr Williams was hit by another vehicle.

She added it appeared he fell from his bike as he attempted to negotiate a left-hand bend and conceded Mr Williams’ blood alcohol level could have been a “significant factor”.

Recording a verdict of accidental death, North East Hampshire coroner Andrew Bradley said he could not see a clear reason for the crash, adding “we’ll never know what happened”.

Mr Williams moved to Dockenfield just over two years ago with his wife, Diana, and their two teenage sons. Villagers described them as a “very private family”.