A CYCLIST was killed when his bike hit a bridge parapet and he fell almost 35 feet on to a dry river bed, an inquest was told.

James Nelson, 32, was out alone on an evening training ride when he braked and the wheels on his cycle locked as he reached Dibble's Bridge on the Hebden to Pateley Bridge road on August 13, the hearing in Skipton was told.

The Skipton Building Society IT technician was a member of Skipton Cycling Club and had been hoping to join other club members who were training to ride the 'Hoy 100' ride from Skipton later in the year.

Problems with his tyres had delayed him setting off from home and he might have been trying to catch his fellow cyclists on their ride, or he might have simply decided to ride solo, said Coroner Rob Turnbull.

Scuff marks on the road and the bridge parapet indicated he was travelling at 19mph when he had first braked, the inquest was told.

His body was found the following morning by two female Environment Agency workers who were conducting a survey of the river Dibb.

A post-mortem examination later concluded he had died from multiple injuries to his head and chest.

David Taylor, of North Yorkshire Police's collision investigation unit, said it appeared Mr Nelson, of Aldersley Avenue, Skipton, had braked hard and locked his wheels as the road sloped down to the bridge causing him to hit the parapet and flip over it to his death.

Mr Turnbull recorded a verdict of accidental death.

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