Fatal accident at Fitz’s Challenge

Paul Harty, an entrant in the Fitz’s Challenge cycle event organised by the Pedal Power cycling club, died last weekend. The ride, which took place south of Canberra, Australia, saw two cyclists, Paul Harty and Matt Huxtable, crashing at Fitz’s Hill, 14km south of Tharwa on Sunday, October 29. The riders were seriously injured and were taken to hospital by ambulance on the day. Paul Harty subsequently died in Canberra Hospital, while Matt Huxtable is still in care at the Prince of Wales Hospital.

Pedal Power has expressed its deepest sympathy to Harty’s family and friends on the club's website. "There were a record 546 entrants in the ride," said Tony Shields, spokesman. "This is the 19th year Fitz’s Challenge has been run and this is the first time something like this has happened."

There were no witnesses to the crash. "The investigation into the cause of the accident is in the hands of the experts, the police," continued Shields. "We have a risk management plan which was put into place as soon as the accident occurred."