Wānaka builder and mountainbiker Peter Murphy (58) died of natural causes (acute heart failure) near the start of the Motatapu mountainbike race on March 4, coroner Mary-Anne Borrowdale has found.
Her report on the circumstances of Mr Murphy’s collapse and death was released on Wednesday.
Bystanders and paramedics tried to resuscitate him but after an hour his death was confirmed.
After reviewing post-mortem evidence from pathologist Dr Michael Dray, the coroner agreed with Dr Dray’s opinion the cause of death was likely acute cardiac insufficiency (heart failure), caused by a fatal cardiac arrhythmia, as a complication of acute myocardial ischaemia (lack of blood flow to the heart muscle).
Dr Dray found fluid buildup in Mr Murphy’s lungs, buildup of fatty plaque on the walls of arteries and evidence of old episodes of heart attack.
The coroner noted Mr Murphy had been under the care of a cardiologist, was prescribed medicine for an irregular heartbeat (atrial fibrillation), had undergone extensive investigations, and there had been no concern about heart disease.
Mr Murphy was a fit and experienced cyclist but had experienced considerable recent personal stress, the coroner said.
In February, Mr Murphy’s 24-year-old son, Daniel, had died from cancer. Mr Murphy and his new wife, Jo, were also in the final stages of building a house.
Police reported no suspicious circumstances and the coroner was satisfied an inquiry was not necessary.
Mr Murphy, with his wife Jo Fuller, owned Fowler Homes Wānaka and Central Otago.
