Islander killed in charity ride
Monday 23rd November 2009, 3:00PM GMT.
John Lyons who has died in Ecuador
A CYCLIST raising money for Jersey Hospice Care died yesterday after suffering multiple injuries in a road accident in Ecuador.
General Hospital porter John Lyons (60) was just hours away from finishing the gruelling seven-day charity challenge when he was hit by a vehicle on the outskirts of the coastal town of Esmeraldas at 9.30 am local time. He died on the way to hospital.
Mr Lyons was only about 50 kilometres from the end of a 520-kilometre ride through the south American country.
A second cyclist who was contracted by tour organisers Discover Adventure was also seriously hurt in the accident. Dr Helen Mansfield, who comes from the UK, suffered head injuries. She is now in hospital in the country’s capital, Quito, and is in a stable condition.
Mr Lyons’ wife and family have been informed of the tragedy, Jersey Hospice said today.
Mr Lyons had worked at the General Hospital for about 30 years and was a theatre attendant. This was his third marathon cycle ride in aid of the charity, having previously cycled in Vietnam in 2007 and across the Andes in Peru in 2005.
Read the full story in the Jersey Evening Post. Click here for subscription details. Individual editions are also available online.
The Queen's Diamond Jubilee
The Queen in Jersey
JEP Jubilee editions
Sat 2 June: Guide to celebrations
Mon 6 June: Souvenir of the events
Travel
To, from and around the Island
Airport Arrivals/Departures
Harbours Arrivals/Departures
Bus Information/Timetables
This is Jersey
Jersey Evening Post
Useful links
I would just like to send my heartfelt thoughts to Mr Lyons Family & Freinds.
I did not personally know Mr Lyons but he was a wondeful man doing so much to help other people in all the Charity Work he done.
You will never be forgotten for all your work you done to help other people.
Thank You Very Much
Jane
Report abuse
I am in deep shock and very sad. I knew John from the gym and he was a very friendly, funny, chatty and warm person. He was a great support to me and inspiration when it came to dishing out comments about my recent running experiences as he was a good runner in his day.
I will miss seeing him and sharing jokes with him at the gym.
My deepest sympathy to his family and friends.
Report abuse
We are so shocked such a lovely genuine guy who has done so much for Jersey Hospice a inspiration to us all, our thoughts are with Judy and the family at this very sad time
John will be sadly missed by everyone that knew him
Report abuse
John was one of the kindest people I have had the pleasure to know. This was his third challenge on behalf of Hospice and he will be desperately missed by all who knew him and by all of his fellow yellow jerseys. Nothing was too much for him and regardless of the challenge, John was always up for it.
My thoughts are with his wife Judy and his family at this sad time. To lose a man who is so full of life so suddenly is something none of us should have to bear, but I hope that it is some consolation that he was once again involved helping others doing something he loved.
Report abuse
Johnny Lyons was an inspirational man. I met him on the Vietnam charity cycle in 2007. I was ill for most of it but he always made me feel better with his humour and his smile. The world is sadder place without him.
My sympathy to his family and friends
Report abuse
John was indeed a good runner,but mostly a top bloke.I had not seen him for a lot of years but he was a real character,and somebody who once you had met, you would never forget.My wife and i remember him returning one of the very first running buggie’s back to the shop,saying”the tyres had worn out on one side” it turned out he had been running multiple laps of quenavais cycle track,obviosly in the same direction. God Bless him,and his family at this very sad time,Alan and Suzanne Lott.
Report abuse
We are very shocked to hear the sad news of Mr Lyons,he was such a lovely happy and funny man he will be sadly missed.I got to know him and his wife judy through his son Elliot who also is one of my daughter Emilys best friends. It was a privilege to have known him.
our thoughts are with his family and friends.
Report abuse
Such devastation and shock that John our gorgeous chatty mate has been taken from us, the place will never be the same without you John. You were and will continue to be an inspiration to all who were privileged to know you. Always positive, kind, caring, giving and funny. Memories of you John and the hysterical laughters we shared will never fade. Behave yourself in heaven. Deepest sympathy to Judy and his children and family. Without doubt the brightest star in the sky. xxx
Report abuse
I knew John for almost twenty years. My earliest memories were when we used to push the children on the swings at the pink elephant park. I then met him many years later when i began working at the General. I can honestly say hand on heart that he was one of the most kindest, caring, compassionate people i have ever had the priviledge to befriend. Always positive and full of fun and laughter. He leaves a hole of such gigantic proportions – his tragic death has hit so many, so hard. He is simply an irreplacable legend.
My constant thoughts are with Judy, Elliot and Kirby and also with his colleagues in Theatres who i know are experiencing immense grief.
John, goodbye is not forever,
goodbye is not the end,
it simply means we will miss you,
until we meet again xxx
Report abuse
I was deeply shocked when i heard of John’s death. But had such fond memories of the stories he told me.
He was so so funny and could brighte up even the darkest day.
My love to his family at this sad time.
Report abuse
My deepest sympathy to John’s family, I did not know him well but remember his smiling face from when I worked at the hospital. I pray that you will be cfomforted in this sad time.
Report abuse
John was an amazing man, full of life love and laughter. I remember once when he told me that he had done a carboot sale at Corbiere and before he had a chance to get his stuff out of the car, an elderly lady had climbed into the back of his car and was rumaging through his stuff. To teach her a lesson he locked all the doors and left her there for 5 minutes, ignoring her knocking on the window to be let out. Whilst he was telling me about it he had his usual mischevious twinkle in his eye. Who else would have got away with it other than John. All my thoughts are with Judy, Elliott and Kirby xxx
Report abuse
my beautiful brother that i loved so much my heart is broke over this sad tragedy he was also my best friend he helped me a lot in my life i will never forget him he was an angel and now there is a bed in heaven for him love bernie and jamie xxxxxxxxxxx we miss you
Report abuse