Triathlete killed after hitting pothole – one of two cyclists killed near Rugby in a week

A cyclist has died following a collision with a car on the outskirts of Rugby on Friday morning. The man was the second cyclist fatality in the area in a week after 52-year-old triathlete Kate Vanloo was killed after being thrown from her bike after hitting a pothole in Napton on Sunday January 3.

The Rugby Observer reports that Friday’s incident took place at the junction of the A4071 and Lawford Road at around 8.20am.

A West Midlands Ambulance Service spokesman said: “Advanced life support was administered to the man who had suffered serious injuries. He was taken to University Hospital Coventry and Warwickshire which had been put on alert in anticipation of his arrival. Despite the collective best efforts of all involved, he was later confirmed dead at hospital.”

The victim has not yet been named.

In Sunday’s incident, which took place at around 10.45am, Vanloo is reported to have hit a water-filled pothole on Holt Road before being struck by a Toyota Yaris as she fell from her bike.

A West Midlands Ambulance Service spokesman said: “When crews arrived on the scene they discovered a cyclist lying in the road following a collision with a car. “Unfortunately, it quickly became apparent that due to the serious injuries suffered in the incident, nothing could be done to save the woman.”

Warwickshire Police are appealing for witnesses. If you have any information, you can contact police on 101 quoting incident number 82 of January 3.

The Coventry Telegraph reports that the pothole should have been filled before Christmas. Neil Adkins, who runs a campsite near the country lane, said: “Road closure signs went up last month, but then nothing happened. The incident was just a tragic accident. If it wasn’t for the pothole the lady would never have come off the bike, as I understand it. The car driver wasn’t to blame.”

Phil Scott, of Rugby Triathlon Group, said the pothole was filled within 48 hours of the incident.

“Kate was cycling towards home at the time with another club member who had parked her car out that way.

“Potholes are a major problem all over the country. Even though we are in a time of austerity, they need to be tackled. I don’t think that many motorists realise that if a cyclist moves out into the road they are not being difficult. They may well be trying to avoid a pothole.

“A friend from the club went up to look at the scene of the incident on Monday or Tuesday and saw workmen filling potholes in.”