Tragically, North East Centre rider Mike Shepherd died on Monday 6th June from injuries he sustained whilst riding a trial at Butsfield Quarry near Consett on Saturday 4th June.
It would appear that Mike fell off his bike riding between sections on his third lap of the trial. After a brief rest, Mike carried on riding and completed the trial
The post-mortem examination has revealed that Mike had cracked two ribs in the fall and was bleeding internally. This internal bleed caused his death.
Durham Police are currently undertaking an accident investigation and have asked if any rider or spectator at the event who saw Mike fall or spoke to him afterwards could contact them. They stress that following their initial investigation into the death, this remains purely an accident investigation and not a criminal investigation.
Their contact details are: Durham Constabulary Collision Investigation Unit, Telephone 0191 375 2159.
Mike was well known in the sport having been involved in trials in the North East Centre for almost fifty years.
As soon as the funeral arrangements for Mike are available they will be published on this website. Mrs Shepherd has already said that she would like donations instead of flowers to be sent to the ACU Benevolent Fund.
The North East Secretary for the fund is John Guthrie and he can be contacted on 0191 522 6260
Gordon Imrie
