A 70-year-old cyclist and former world championship contender who came off her bike during a time trial event in Wisbech has lost her fight for life. Pat Pepper died in Addenbrooke s Hospital, Cambridge, on Tuesday, nine days after suffering serious head

A 70-year-old cyclist and former world championship contender who came off her bike during a time trial event in Wisbech has lost her fight for life.

Pat Pepper died in Addenbrooke's Hospital, Cambridge, on Tuesday, nine days after suffering serious head injuries in a collision with another cyclist on

Sunday, July 16.

Mrs Pepper, of Martlesham Heath, Suffolk, was taking part in the East District Cycling Association's 25-mile championship time trial when the accident happened.

Norfolk police have confirmed Mrs Pepper died as a result of her injuries. She was wearing a helmet at the time of the accident.

The accident happened on the A47 at about 8.30am, going north-east about a mile from the Little Chef roundabout. Police are now appealing for witnesses.

A passer-by in a car stopped behind Mrs Pepper in order to shield her from traffic.

She was taken to the Queen Elizabeth Hospital, King's Lynn, but was transferred to Addenbrooke's.

Ted Jackson, secretary of the East District branch of Cycling Time Trials, which ran the event, said Mrs Pepper had been an international rider in her youth, both road racing and time trialing.

He said: "She was part of the larger cycling family in East Anglia and everyone knew Pat Pepper.

"I would say since I have been involved in the sport for the last 15 years she was probably the most well-known time trialist in East Anglia.

"She had ridden on the continent as a road racing cyclist regularly. She has been competing in this area as a veteran cyclist for the last 40 years with success with the Wolsey RC. She was also club champion many times."

Police are urging anyone who witnessed the accident to contact Sergeant Mark Murphy at Swaffham Road policing unit, Norfolk, on 0845 456 4567.