A SALFORD University lecturer has died after a freak cycling accident in Croatia.
Mike Holt, 49, was on the idyllic island of Brac, near Split, when he went over the handlebars of his bike and landed in a ditch.
He struck his head on a stone and never regained consciousness.
Mike, who taught Arabic in the university's school of languages, was being treated at a hospital in Split when he died.
His family had been planning to have him flown home by air ambulance, but on Monday, several days after the accident, his condition worsened and he died.
Speaking from Croatia, his brother, Toby, said: "He and a friend had travelled by car from Munich into Croatia and had bikes with them. They had gone to the island and were cycling there.
"It was a freak accident. He fell into a ditch and hit his head on a sharp stone.
"People fall off bikes and break their ankles or arms. You never expect people to die.
"Mike was very fit, played football twice a week and was an experienced cyclist.
"Mike is the second brother I have lost. My other brother, Richard, died aged 16 after a road accident many years ago.
"Understandably, my mother is beside herself."
Mike, who lived in Whalley Range, Manchester, leaves a widow, Linda, and two children, aged 20 and 16.
Appeal
They all travelled to Croatia after the accident.
Toby said: "It will take about five working days for the documentation to be issued, but we hope to bring Mike home on Thursday next week."
University lecturer Elizabeth Laws has organised an appeal to help the family cover the cost of flying Mike home.
She said: "It would appear that Mike went to Croatia without the necessary insurance.
"His family is sorting things out, but if people want to contribute to the appeal any surplus money will be donated to a charity in memory of Mike."
Mike, was based at the university's Maxwell building on The Crescent.
He had been a member of staff for about 14 years.
Prof Philip Tomlinson, head of the school of languages, said: "Mike was head of the Arabic section.
"He was an extremely popular and talented linguist who was respected by students and colleagues.
"Our thoughts and sympathies go to his family at this sad time."
Mike moved to Salford from a college job in London and is originally from Birmingham.
Comments
Login or Register to comment
It is really a great loss. Mike was not only my supervisor. HE was my GODFATHER. HE was one of the greatest teachers I have ever met. He was very encouraging and friendly. May God Bless his soul.
My sympathies to his family his brother and oldest Sun Adam in particular (I know Adam only, we used to play football with Mike at the Uni.), my sympathies to his friend John Fife, Prof Philip Tomlinson, Salford Uni. Staff. I can not find enough vocabulary to explain my feeling towards him; he was extremely encouraging and friendly. As of the minute I heard the very sad news, I am deeply sad and sorry to loss a great teacher and friend, and I think Salford University-Arabic Div. will no longer be the same any more, I can not imagine The School without him, and my desire to go back is extremely dented, a great man, a great fan of Man Utd-his chair in Members Stand will miss him too. (This is not enough MIKE, when I get my courage back, I will write again).