rider dies after hitting rock on Sydney road Matthew Fitzgerald, right, suffered serious head injuries when he fell from his bicycle. In the week after cyclist Matthew Fitzgerald was critically injured in a crash at Kurnell, his friends looked for some small way to show their support for him and his family. As the 44-year-old father lay unconscious in St George Hospital, his fellow cyclists at Two Monkeys Cycling in Penshurst put the call out for people to start folding paper cranes and to drop them at the cycling shop. Japanese tradition says anyone who folds 1000 origami cranes will be granted a wish, and if anyone was in need of some good luck, then surely it was Mr Fitzgerald, a husband and father of two young children. Fitzgerald mourned by cycling community. Soon they had passed their target, and the colourful paper birds were displayed in the window of the shop. Now, those birds stand as a reminder of just how well-regarded Mr Fitzgerald was in the community, and how much he will be missed. One week after Mr Fitzgerald struck a rock on the road and fell from his bike, police said that he died in hospital from severe head injuries. Friends created more than 1000 paper cranes. Lester Ramos, the owner of Two Monkeys Cycling, said the idea for the paper cranes came from one of Mr Fitzgerald's family members, who had done a school project on the topic. Mr Ramos said Mr Fitzgerald had been riding on weekends with Two Monkeys Cycling's social group for only the past month, but had regularly visited the shop before that. He said Mr Fitzgerald would not be forgotten in the local cycling community. Everybody in the social group has been affected. The cycling community around this area is very close and everybody knows each other," Mr Ramos said. We feel for the family and the whole team is trying to support his family as much as possible. Our thoughts and prayers are with them at this time. Mr Fitzgerald was on a Saturday morning ride with the group on November 2 when he struck trouble just before 7am. Police said he was riding with a group along Captain Cook Drive, about 1.5 kilometres north of the roundabout on Elouera Road at Kurnell. As his group overtook another group of cyclists, Mr Fitzgerald hit a rock and fell on to the road. He was wearing a helmet, but suffered serious head injuries, a broken arm, cuts and abrasions. Another rider, a 32-year-old man, also fell from his bicycle at the same time and landed on the road, suffering a broken cheek bone, cuts and abrasions. Police and paramedics were called and treated both men before taking them to St George Hospital. Mr Fitzgerald underwent emergency surgery for serious head injuries and was admitted to the intensive care unit, where he was put into a coma. He died about 10pm last Saturday. The other rider is expected to make a full recovery. One of Mr Fitzgerald's friends wrote online that he had "the most amazing mind and wit." "You will be missed by family, new and old friends," the woman wrote. Rip Matt, wishing your family strength and love at this sad time. Between tears I laugh at all the crazy things you did. Another friend wrote: "Many tears & remembering the good times & laughter ... it's just so terribly sad. We will miss you! Police will prepare a report for the coroner. They have urged anyone with information about the crash to call Crime Stoppers on 1800 333 000 or use the Crime Stoppers online reporting page.