Sudbury cyclist died as result of natural causes, investigation concludes

The death of a Sudbury cyclist earlier this month was the result of natural causes and not a road traffic collision, a police investigation has concluded.

Cycle Club Sudbury (CCS) co-founder Leonard Finch, 86, of Chilton, died on May 17, while riding his bike in Great Waldingfield.

Suffolk Police initially stated they had been called out by the ambulance service just before 3pm, after reports that a cyclist was in need of urgent medical attention following a potential road traffic collision in Lavenham Road.

The force’s serious collision investigation team later explained they were looking into the possibility that the cyclist had crashed into a stationary lorry.

However, a post-mortem examination conducted last week determined that Mr Finch died as a result of natural causes.

Investigating officers have confirmed they are satisfied that his death was not because of a collision.

Mr Finch was an active cyclist for decades and continued to take part in time trials in his 80s. His family described him as “an inspiration and truly one of the greats”, while his fellow CCS members said his death was a real loss for the wider cycling community.