'An outstanding human being': Cyclist dies after hit-and-run during charity training ride

One of two cyclists who were seriously injured in Prince George on Monday while training for the Cops for Cancer charity event has died, according to police. 

A statement from the Prince George RCMP says Shane Kelly succumbed to his injuries on Thursday. 

Mounties said Monday that the injured cyclists were an RCMP officer and a community member, later confirmed to be Kelly.

"Shane was an outstanding human being," said Karin Piche, a friend and fellow cyclist in the north-central B.C. city. "He made everyone feel special."

His death was announced the same day yet another rider was hospitalized following a vehicle incident Friday, and has prompted calls for improved safety conditions for riders and pedestrians in the north-central B.C. city.

"It's something that we think about every time that we get on our bike, right, whether we're going to come home," Piche said.

"There's so many people questioning whether they want to continue to ride."

Cops for Cancer is an annual riding event that pairs civilian riders with RCMP officers to raise funds for cancer research.

The two cyclists were riding on the side of the road, training for the event , when they were struck in a residential neighbourhood near the intersection of Ospika Boulevard North and McRae Avenue around 9 a.m. Monday.

Witnesses to the aftermath of Monday's incident described debris scattered across the road, including a mirror from the vehicle that struck them.

A police search followed, which included a helicopter, and one man was taken into custody.

The RCMP officer was also seriously injured, police say.

Piche said Kelly was an active supporter of multiple cycling-based events, many of which supported charitable organizations, and described him as "a great leader."

In a written statement, Prince George Mayor Simon Yu said, "This tragedy has deeply impacted our community," especially as it happened as Kelly was training for yet another fundraising effort.