AN INQUEST into the death of a cyclist, who died after falling from his bike last year, will take place this week.

Roger Hamer, from Ramsbottom, died aged 83 last year, following a cycling incident that happened on Bury New Road on March 5.

On the day of the accident, Mr Hamer - who was a keen walker and cyclist - was cycling into Ramsbottom at about midday, to buy wine and chocolates for Mother’s Day.

He was thrown from his bike on Bury New Road.

The grandad, who was not wearing a helmet when cycling, was taken by ambulance to Salford Royal Hospital where he was diagnosed with a severe brain injury and died almost a month later. 

The inquest is set to be held in Heywood from 10am on Wednesday. It is expected to last two days.

Mr Hamer’s family hope this will provide answers regarding the circumstances of his death.

Family pays tribute to cyclist Roger Hamer

Catherine James, an expert serious injury lawyer at Irwin Mitchell, representing Roger’s family, said: “This is an incredibly tragic case and, just over a year on from Roger’s death, the family are understandably still struggling to come to terms with their loss.

“It is their hope that the inquest provides vital information in relation to the events leading up to Roger’s death and gives Ruth and her family the answers they deserve.”

Ruth Topping, the eldest of two children Roger had with his wife of 60 years, Margaret, said: “I still think about dad daily, as do my mum, and brother, Paul.

“We believe there may have been potholes in the road in the area dad had his accident and that concerns over these had potentially been reported to the council.

“As a family, we just want to be able to understand what happened to dad during his journey and whether something could have been done to prevent him being thrown from his bike.”