Patrick Avery death: Coroner's findings released

Patrick Avery. FILE

Rotorua cyclist Patrick Avery's death could have been prevented had he the opportunity to undergo medical tests and a cardiac evaluation, a coroner has found.

The 21-year-old died in December 2012 during a cycle sprint race at the Eastgate Industrial Park in Rotorua. A post mortem found the cause of death was hypertrophic cardiomyopathy, a common cause of sudden cardiac death in young athletes.

An inquest into his death was held in Rotorua last December before Coroner Dr Wallace Bain.

In his findings released today, Dr Bain said there was medical evidence Patrick had problems for the two years prior to his death, in that he often fell off the pace quickly during races and sometimes would almost collapse with exhaustion afterwards.

Patrick's older brother Clinton, a professional cyclist who had been racing in Europe, told the inquest professional cyclists there were not allowed to race each season until they had gone through an echo test and stress test.

He felt it should be compulsory for New Zealand cyclists to undergo this high performance testing before being given a license by BikeNZ to compete.

Patrick's sister Monique, also a high performance athlete, and parents Murray and Maryann agreed testing should be mandatory.

Dr Bain had asked BikeNZ to make submissions on the issues raised.

"They advised that they operate within medical guidelines and that includes a recommendation that all carded athletes undergo a regular Periodic Health Evaluation. That involves a comprehensive athlete history including specific cardiac symptoms, a clear family history, a cardiac specific clinical examination, and a 12-lead ECG.

"The purpose of that cardiac evaluation is to detect possible cardiovascular abnormality in someone who is otherwise well, extremely fit and asymptomatic individual."

Dr Bain noted the members of the 2014 Commonwealth Games team were expected to have a cardiac history, examination and ECG as per of their pre-competition medical evaluation.

Dr Bain said the court was encouraged by the range of testing available and cyclists were recommended to undertake those tests.

He said no specific recommendations were made by the court "although it is noted that it is likely that had Patrick had the opportunity to undergo the detailed and specific medical tests and cardiac evaluation that his condition would have been detected and it may well have prevented his death".