AN 'active and fit' retired headteacher died from his injuries after falling from his bike while taking part in a time trial, an inquest has heard.

Leslie Haines, 64, of Arrowsmith Avenue, Bartestree, was thrown over the handlebars of his bicycle on July 5.

The keen cyclist had been participating in a ten mile time trial cycling event around the Allensmore area when the accident took place near to the junction of the B4349 and the B4398.

Witnesses said he appeared to hit something on the road which caused him to stop, throwing him over the handlebars and onto the ground.

The inquest heard how it was unclear what Mr Haines hit on the road and it was speculated it may have been a rock or a pothole.

One witness said they had 'no idea' what happened to cause Mr Haines to fall.

Another described the accident as a 'particularly nasty' fall, and that Mr Haines stopped suddenly 'like he had hit an imaginary wall'.

Drivers who witnessed the fall stopped and called emergency services and members of the public also performed CPR on Mr Haines.

Mr Haines, who was wearing a helmet when the accident took place, was airlifted to the Queen Elizabeth Hospital in Birmingham.

He died in hospital on July 17.

His medical cause of death was attributed to brain injury, cardiac arrest and a spinal cord injury.

Assistant Coroner Roland Wooderson paid tribute to those who helped Mr Haines and said: "He had the very best first aid treatment from a number of persons."

He added: "It seems that nobody is quite sure how Mr Haines came off his bicycle."

Coroner Wooderson recorded a conclusion of accidental death at the inquest at Herefordshire Coroner's Court on October 10.