Cyclist dies after cardiac arrest part way through RideLondon event
Written by News on 01/08/2017
A man died while taking part in Prudential RideLondon over the weekend, the event’s organisers have confirmed.
Maris Ozols suffered a cardiac arrest about 13 miles into the 46-mile course, which spanned London and Surrey.
The 67-year-old received treatment from medical personnel and fellow riders, but event officials said he could not be saved.
On a memorial fundraising page, his family wrote that he was a "fit and active" man who "made the most of every day" and enjoyed yoga and swimming.
"We never saw it coming. He didn’t have a history of heart problems as far as we knew," they added.
The family are raising money for the British Heart Foundation, and they have already passed their target of £500.
Mr Ozols’ son Martin added: "Maris lived life to the full. He was a much-loved husband, father and grandfather who refused to get old. He died doing what he loved."
The RideLondon-Surrey 46 event began at the Queen Elizabeth Olympic Park, with cyclists heading to Surrey before ending at The Mall in central London.
More than 28,000 people took part in the fifth edition of the festival, which included a 46-mile and a 100-mile course.
Prudential confirmed the death "with deep sadness", and said in a statement: "Everyone involved in Prudential RideLondon would like to express our sincere condolence to Maris’s family and friends."
(c) Sky News 2017: Cyclist dies after cardiac arrest part way through RideLondon event
