An accident occurred on Saturday afternoon. After 4 p.m., the duty officer at the District Police Headquarters in Lwówek Śląski received a report about a cyclist who had been involved in an accident on one of the trails in the Świeradów-Zdrój area.
Police officers were sent to the scene. According to the officers’ preliminary findings, the 67-year-old resident of Poznań lost control of his bicycle at one point while descending from Stóg Izerski and fell.
The man was not wearing a protective helmet. Rescuers from the Mountain Volunteer Search and Rescue Service provided him with first aid. Despite resuscitation efforts, the 67-year-old could not be saved.
Police are currently establishing the exact circumstances and course of the tragic incident.
Officers remind the public that mountain bike trails require particular caution. Steep slopes, rocks, roots, uneven terrain and suddenly appearing obstacles can cause even an experienced cyclist to lose control of their bicycle.
Police also appeal to cyclists to wear protective helmets. Although adult cyclists are not generally required to wear them, a properly fitted and fastened helmet can reduce the effects of a head injury in the event of a fall.
Before setting out on a mountain trail, it is also worth adjusting your speed to your skills and current conditions, taking particular care on steep descents, and checking the technical condition of the bicycle, especially the brakes and tires.
It is also important to choose a trail suited to your fitness and experience. As police officers stress, on a mountain trail, a moment of inattention can have very serious consequences.