Grandad dies after cycle crash
A Staffordshire grandfather and former village postmaster has died after a cycling accident on Cannock Chase. A Staffordshire grandfather and former village postmaster has died after a cycling accident on Cannock Chase. Les Ward was with members of his family when he lost control of his bike and crashed. Mr Ward, aged 64, was airlifted to New Cross Hospital, Wolverhampton, after Saturday's accident but died on Sunday. His son, David, said Mr Ward was cycling with wife Dot and three grandchildren when he lost control going down a slope, landed awkwardly and broke his neck. Read the full story in the Express & Star.
A Staffordshire grandfather and former village postmaster has died after a cycling accident on Cannock Chase.
Les Ward was with members of his family when he lost control of his bike and crashed.
Mr Ward, aged 64, was airlifted to New Cross Hospital, Wolverhampton, after Saturday's accident but died on Sunday.
His son, David, said Mr Ward was cycling with wife Dot and three grandchildren when he lost control going down a slope, landed awkwardly and broke his neck.
They called for help and the operator gave instructions on how to give mouth to mouth before the ambulance crew arrived and took over. "His heart had stopped beating but after working on him for some time they got a heartbeat back and he was put into the helicopter."
On Sunday he died surrounded by his family, including one son who flew back from France. Mr Ward senior, of Lancaster Road, had three sons and two daughters with Dot and a son by a previous marriage.
A Wolverhampton inquest heard he was hurt on a slope near the Sister Dora Nursing Home, Milford Common. He was postmaster at The Whitehouse, Main Road Milford, for 14 years – retiring in 2002 after an armed robbery. His funeral is at Bushbury Crematorium, Wolverhampton, on Monday April 16 (3pm).