Fallen rider honoured
A MASTERS cyclist who died after crashing into an abandoned car on the Gold Coast yesterday has been remembered by friends as a passionate athlete.
Despite attempts to revive the 75-year-old, Lee Wilde was pronounced dead at the scene of the crash.
It is believed Mr Wilde, a member of the Gold Coast Masters Cycling Club, had a heart attack after hitting the car about 9.15am on Hope Island Road, Hope Island.
The widower, who allegedly used a pacemaker for his heart, was riding with five friends. “He was a member of the masters, he raced every weekend. He was fit,” said Ian Waymouth, one of the cyclists riding with Mr Wilde.
“We’re higher grades and a bloke went past us. For fun we just thought we’d burn him off so we left these guys (including Mr Wilde) behind.
“I think he was having a go to keep up with us.”
Mr Waymouth said it was unclear what caused his friend to crash into the abandoned car. Residents said the car had been on the side of the road for weeks after the driver was told to leave the vehicle by police.
“To come along there I think (Mr Wilde) might have been looking in his rear-vision mirror,” Mr Waymouth said.
“He’s hit the car and that’s caused the problem.
“His handlebar is all bent round. It’s just hard to believe … he loved his bike riding.”
Another friend who was riding nearby Mr Wilde said he was shocked when his friend did not get up after the collision. “We had only been riding for about 10 minutes. We could see he wasn’t too good. He wasn’t moving when we got there.”
The group of experienced riders took off from the McDonald’s on Hope Island Rd about 9am and headed west towards the Pacific Motorway.
The Forensic Crash Unit is investigating the incident.
Authorities are yet to confirm the exact cause of Mr Wilde’s death.