Cyclist killed while competing in 10-mile time trial in Derbyshire

A cyclist has died after being struck by a vehicle while competing in an evening 10-mile time trial in Derbyshire.

The rider, who was been named as 72-year-old John Stewart, was competing in the South Pennine Road Club time trial on Thursday when he was struck from behind by a van while racing on the A50 dual carriageway.

Derbyshire Constabulary say police were called to a collision between Mr Stewart and a Mercedes flat-bed sprinter van at around 7.50pm on Thursday evening. Mr Stewart received fatal injuries and died at the scene.

Police are now appealing for witnesses from other cyclists who were on the road at the time, and from any motorists who may have captured dashcam footage.

The section of the A50 between Hilton and Dove Valley is used for a number of time trial courses, including the A10/19 course which was being used for the event on Thursday evening.

In 2014 local residents unsuccessfully launched a petition to prevent cyclists using the road for races. In 2011 another cyclist, Karl Austin, was also killed while competing in a South Pennine Road Club time trial on the A50.

Anyone with information should call Derbyshire Constabulary on 101, quoting incident number 794 of the June 15, 2017.