2014-02-25 - Rider Down/Fatality, 309 Regent Street

http://www.cyclinguk.org/blog/duncandollimore/mason-verdict

In their evidence, six of the witnesses made reference either to Ms
Purcell continuing after the collision, an initial impression that
this was a hit and run, or that she was not intending to stop. She did
stop, but you might think that her reaction to the event would be
something to consider when examining her awareness of her
surroundings, and whether or not she had been or was distracted.

One of the four witnesses the police considered irrelevant gave
evidence that Ms Purcell’s car continued up Regent Street, that he ran
up the street after the car which was stopped at the lights, and
“stood in front of the car and held out my hand and asked the driver
to stop and pull over – I indicated which way to turn the wheel to
help her park the car”.

He said that his first impression had been that she was leaving the
scene, which was why he subsequently took a photograph of the number
plate. Remember, the police didn’t think he was a relevant witness.

Other witnesses referred variously to the car moving on, thinking
initially it may have been a hit and run, and the car pulling up at or
through the lights, suggesting a somewhat delayed reaction to the
thing which she heard but did not see, but which caused a dent in her
car bonnet.