Infection from a perforated bowel suffered in a cycle accident led to the death of Canadian visitor and friend of the Bermuda Regiment, Harry Hughes.

Septicaemia, or blood poisoning, occurred over the three days following the collision between Mr. Hughes' livery cycle and a car driven by Sandys' resident Leslie Dill.

Coroner Will Francis found the St. Catherine's, Ontario resident became blinded by sunlight as he approached Watford Bridge from the north and raised his hands to cover his eyes.

He ruled the former Lincoln and Welland Regiment Sergeant Major died by "misadventure'' in "negligently'' losing control of his cycle.

Mr. Hughes, 71, had come to Bermuda for more than 20 years and always stayed at Warwick Camp. Hundreds of local soldiers have visited his home in Canada.

Mr. Dill told the inquest he was travelling to Dockyard shortly after 3 p.m.

on November 19.

"I observed a man on a red cycle travelling the wrong way in the eastbound lane,'' Mr. Dill said, "and he had raised his hands as if to block the sun rays and quickly place them back on the handlebars.'' After the collision, the injured man told him: "I'm all right, but I have pain in my stomach.'' Mr. Dill said Mr. Hughes began searching in his pockets, and presumed it was for sunglasses.

The next day he called King Edward VII Memorial Hospital to find out Mr.

Hughes' condition and was told he was resting comfortably, only to find out later that the man had died.

He added: "I felt very bad for him and I still feel bad for him and his family.'' Investigating officer, P.c. Suzanne Steede said she arrived shortly after the collision and spoke to Mr. Hughes.

P.c. Steede said Mr. Hughes told her "I couldn't see, the sun was in my eyes'' as he lay motionless waiting for an ambulance.

Pathologist John Obafunwa said his autopsy found doctors had operated on Mr.

Hughes and repaired a perforated small intestine but there was blood in his lower abdomen.

Dr. Obafunwa said after his small intestine was punctured, the inner lining of the man's stomach was infected and pus formed.

"This severe infection apparently spread into the blood, poisoning it and resulting in septic shock,'' he continued. "The pooling of blood could have added to the strain on the man's heart.

"Along with low blood pressure, and the inability to pump away, it would have put pressure on the lungs which would also have made respiration difficult,'' he added.

"His system just collapsed under the sum total of it all, am I correct?'' Mr.

Francis asked, which Dr. Obafunwa called a "fair summary''.