A cyclist who was knocked over by a passing motorist while riding with a group of friends near Hamilton has died of his injuries.
Top cyclist and ironman competitor Craig Goulsbro's life support system was switched off at Waikato Hospital yesterday, two days after he was knocked off his bicycle by a motorist in an accident that also injured two of his riding buddies.
Last night, his wife confirmed that he had died, and friends paid tribute to the 50-year-old father of one.
"We send all our love to his very dearly loved wife, son and extended family and friends," said a post on the Hamilton City Cycling Club's Facebook page.
"This is a time we as a family club must come together for each other."
Bob Puru of Bob's Bikes, where the group of cyclists met before going on their ill-fated ride on Monday, was with colleagues at his Flagstaff store seemingly resigned to their friend's fate.
"It's just bloody sad but there's nothing we can do; it's a tragedy."
In the accident on Puketaha Rd - part of a route regularly taken by Mr Goulsbro and his cycling mates - his close friend Chris Smith suffered a number of broken ribs, and Bill Donaldson was knocked unconscious after the impact sent him flying into a fence.
Both were discharged from hospital on Monday night.
Mr Donaldson, who was riding with Mr Goulsbro and Mr Smith in the middle of the pack of cyclists, said he had no memory of what happened other than making the turn down Puketaha Rd a few minutes before the accident.
"The only recollection I have is talking to an ambulance officer and one of my fellow cyclists and being told that I had used a friend's phone and I had spoken to the kids, and I don't even remember that."
Mr Donaldson's bike is a mangled mess, his helmet is "absolutely toast" and his neck is in a brace. His right leg is also swollen.
"I was lucky - I slept through the whole thing," he said.
Senior Sergeant Andrew O'Reilly said police had a number of interviews to do and it could be weeks before it would be known if charges would be laid against the motorist.
Mr Goulsbro's death takes the road toll for cyclists in the Waikato to two this year.
Figures from the New Zealand Transport Agency show there have been a total of 250 reported crashes involving cyclists in the region since 2010.
Of these, 61 were serious.
- James Ihaka of the New Zealand Herald