Tragedy hits 24hr cycle ride

A well known Busselton athlete has fatally collapsed at the weekend just minutes into Cowaramup’s 24 Hour Cycle Race Delirium.

Busselton man Mal Hopkins was competing in the event with several members of his family when he fell unconscious and came off his bike.

St John Ambulance media relations officer Dennis Bertoldo said ambulance officers responded to a call around 11.13am on Saturday at Cowaramup.

Mr Bertoldo said Mr Hopkins, who was in his 30s, was unconscious and wasn’t breathing when ambulance officers arrived.

He was treated at the scene and later transferred to Margaret River Hospital, where he was pronounced dead.

Event organiser Brendon Morrison said Mr Hopkins had collapsed just seven minutes into the race event on Saturday morning.

“He came off his bike and he looked like he was unconscious when he came off,” Mr Morrison said.

He said Mr Hopkins was an outstanding and well known sportsman who had previously played hockey for WA, was an ironman triathlete and had won the inaugural Delirium race.

He said he believed the incident may have related to a pre-existing health condition.

Margaret River police senior constable Albe Reinecke said police were preparing a sudden death file on the incident.