British cyclist killed in accident in US

A British cyclist has been killed in an accident in the US state of Iowa.

Adam Pritchard, 35, from Torquay, Devon, was identified after his 12-year-old sister, who had been riding along the trail with him, approached officers attending the scene.

Police in the city of Clive said the youngster explained she was looking for her brother after she had been separated from him as he rode out ahead of her.

Mr Pritchard had been visiting family in the Des Moines area when he died.

A statement from the police department said: "All indications point to this incident being a single bicycle accident with no other persons involved.

"It appears that Mr Pritchard lost control of his bicycle as he was westbound on the Clive Greenbelt Trail and approached a wooden bridge about 1,280 feet due west of 100th Street.

"He veered south-west off the trail where he dropped about 8ft onto the rocks and into the creek."

The cause of death remains under investigation by the medical examiner's office, but police say there is no reason to suspect foul play.

Police were called to the scene at around 2.15pm (local time) on Thursday and found a man in cycling clothes and helmet face down in the creek.

About 20 minutes later they were approached by Mr Pritchard's sister who gave a description matching his.

Other family members who had arrived at the scene also identified the body.

A spokesman for the Foreign Office said: "We stand ready to provide support to the family at this difficult time."