British round the world cyclist killed in traffic accident
A woman from Devon has died in South America while she was on a round-the-world cycling trip to raise money for charity.
Sharon Bridgman, believed to be 38, died after being hit by a van while travelling through Bolivia with her husband Tim.
The couple, from Zeal Monachorum, near Okehampton in Devon, had been cycling around the world since June 2012 and had already travelled through Europe and Africa without major incident. Words and photos: PA
Robert Szembek, the chairman of Okehampton Cycling Club, of which they were members, said they had been on what was meant to be a "a great adventure".
He said: "I was really shocked yesterday when I got the news.
"It is not what you expect to hear, especially when they went right through Africa and rode through some doubtful areas known for problems and had taken precautions like not camping by the road."
He added: "Everyone appreciates the danger in cycling. But you think it is a big open road and not much traffic, you think they are going to be reasonably safe.
"Seeing many of their photos, it is just the two of them and not much traffic at all."
Mr Szembek said he was told that the Bridgmans may have been cycling with another couple when the incident happened.
He said Mrs Bridgman was cycling a short distance either ahead or behind the others when she was hit by the vehicle.
He said he was told the driver of the vehicle had been arrested.
Police in Bolivia told the Associated Press that Mrs Bridgman was involved in an accident near Bolivia's border with Chile.
According to the couple's blog, which she wrote, they were on a "North 2 North Cycle Tour" through 32 countries.
Their Just Giving page says they started off from Nordkapp in northern Norway on June 4, 2012, and arrived in Cape Agulhas in South Africa on November 19 last year. They then went to Ushuaia in Argentina to start what should have been a mammoth ride to Alaska.
In their last blogpost on April 22, they wrote about their adventures in Chile, including being in the capital, Santiago, while there were mild earth tremors.
Mr Szembek said the only previous incident to affect the couple had been when Mr Bridgman's Thorn Nomad touring bike had been stolen in North Africa and he had to have a replacement sent out.
A Foreign Office spokeswoman said: "We are aware of the death of a British national on April 26 in Bolivia.
"We are providing consular assistance to the family at this difficult time."
The couple were raising money for Cornwall-based disaster relief charity ShelterBox through their trip.
The total currently stands at just over £1,200.
Shelterbox chief executive Alison Wallace said, "Everyone at ShelterBox is deeply shocked and saddened to hear of Sharon Bridgman's death.
"The Bridgman's 'north2north' global cycle journey showed their immense determination, enterprise and generosity of spirit.
"We are very proud and grateful that they chose ShelterBox to benefit from their latest fundraising adventure, and it is beyond sadness that it has ended in such tragedy.
"Our hearts go out to Tim and to all Sharon's family and friends at this desperately sad time."
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