Young go-getter dies suddenly after bike race
A 21-YEAR-OLD cyclist collapsed at the end of a 15-minute race and died later in hospital.
It is believed that Patrick Avery, who died in Rotorua Hospital on Tuesday night, could have had a seizure or heart attack.
Officials at the road cycle criterium organised by Cycling Rotorua saw him cross the finish line and then suddenly veer to the side of the road and fall off his bike. A senior nurse at the scene, firefighters and later St John Ambulance paramedics spent more than an hour trying to revive him.
His father, Murray Avery, said yesterday that his son was ‘‘the best guy in the world’’. He was ‘‘fit and energetic’’ and ‘‘loathed sitting around getting bored’’.
‘‘He was the only one of my kids who could put a smile on my face if I was in the filthiest of moods. He was an absolute awesome guy.
‘‘He hated sitting around. If he got bored, he would just hop on his bike and go riding. He was into everything – he would give anything a whirl, a real gogetter, and recently he was learning how to surf.’’
Last weekend Patrick went with his older brother, Clinton, to a dive festival in Coromandel, Mr Avery said. ‘‘Paddy was getting into snorkelling, and he went up with Clinton, who was spearfishing. He came back with plenty of stories.’’
Patrick came from a well-known Rotorua sporting and cycling family. He had represented New Zealand at mountainbiking in Australia.
His father represented New Zealand in wrestling at the Commonwealth Games in 1978. His mother, Maryann, brother Clinton, and younger sister Monique have all won numerous national mountainbike titles. Clinton is a professional road cyclist. Mr Avery said his son’s death was inexplicable. ‘‘There was absolutely nothing wrong with him before the race.’’
Patrick worked with Sport Bay of Plenty teaching children cycling skills, and helped a friend in a concreting business.
Cycling Rotorua president Peter Clark said his death was tragic. ‘‘It is a very sad thing to happen to a fantastic young guy.’’