General Hospital porter John Lyons (60) was just hours away from finishing the gruelling seven-day charity challenge when he was hit by a vehicle on the outskirts of the coastal town of Esmeraldas at 9.30 am local time. He died on the way to hospital.
Mr Lyons was only about 50 kilometres from the end of a 520-kilometre ride through the south American country.
A second cyclist who was contracted by tour organisers Discover Adventure was also seriously hurt in the accident. Dr Helen Mansfield, who comes from the UK, suffered head injuries. She is now in hospital in the country’s capital, Quito, and is in a stable condition.
Mr Lyons’ wife and family have been informed of the tragedy, Jersey Hospice said today.
Mr Lyons had worked at the General Hospital for about 30 years and was a theatre attendant. This was his third marathon cycle ride in aid of the charity, having previously cycled in Vietnam in 2007 and across the Andes in Peru in 2005.
