Inquest Finds Farmer’s Death Accidental After Bike Fall

An inquest has determined that a farmer sustained a fatal head injury following a fall from his bicycle on a forest trail. Robert William Fewson Stead, aged 35, was riding his bike through Kilburn Woods, situated close to Thirsk, on August 24 when the event occurred. On November 11, North Yorkshire coroner Richard Watson conducted a written inquest into Mr. Stead’s passing, concluding that his death was accidental, resulting from a hypoxic brain injury. Mr. Stead, a resident of Pickering, passed away at James Cook University Hospital two days subsequent to the incident. Mr. Watson stated: “On 24 August 2024, the deceased was riding his bicycle through Kilburn Woods.” “He fell from his bicycle, struck his head and suffered other serious injuries.” “He was taken to James Cook University Hospital where he died.” Mr. Stead, who was raised on his family’s farm in Lockton within the North York Moors National Park, is survived by his wife, Lauren, and their son, Harry. In a tribute, his family remarked that he “died doing what he loved.” Contributions were made to the Yorkshire Air Ambulance in remembrance of him.