2009-08-12 - Rider Down, North end Blackfriars Bridge

First off - my thoughts have been with the cyclist and all involved since the accident and like others sincerley wish the best outcome and a speedy recovery.

I walked past shortly after the incident briefly stopping to assess the situation - four/five people including occupant/s of lorry seeing to cyclyst and clearly on mobile phones in contact with emergency services. There were a few, maybe less than ten onlookers together with the normal traffic congestion at that time.
Accident occured between 09:30 & 09:35 morning of Friday 12th September 2008 - weather and road conditions good and dry. TNT delivery lorry came to rest across pedestrian crossing, left filter lane to embankment. Cyclist pinned face down, lorry's front left tyre traping person between legs. Mangled bike on road several feet away from rear of lorry, apporx. 10-15 foot (5m) skid mark on road and debries upto about maybe 20 foot or so (7m).

As I continued walking south across the bridge an abulance was making it's way North toward the accident.

Ironically about 100 yards further south from the bridge two police motor cylist were in the process of booking a cyclist appearing oblivious to the unfolding mayhem at the North side of bridge...

Says it all about OB and their priorities....

That north side of Blackfriars is well hectic, travelling both north and south - just seems to be that everyone on the road is jostling for space and a way out of the tight roads/junctions. Hotspot for dumbass peds stepping out in front too

Be safe out there

I always avoid this bridge on the way north... soutwark bridge is MUCH safer

First off - my thoughts have been with the cyclist and all involved since the accident and like others sincerley wish the best outcome and a speedy recovery.

I walked past shortly after the incident briefly stopping to assess the situation - four/five people including occupant/s of lorry seeing to cyclyst and clearly on mobile phones in contact with emergency services. There were a few, maybe less than ten onlookers together with the normal traffic congestion at that time.
Accident occured between 09:30 & 09:35 morning of Friday 12th September 2008 - weather and road conditions good and dry. TNT delivery lorry came to rest across pedestrian crossing, left filter lane to embankment. Cyclist pinned face down, lorry's front left tyre traping person between legs. Mangled bike on road several feet away from rear of lorry, apporx. 10-15 foot (5m) skid mark on road and debries upto about maybe 20 foot or so (7m).

Ow. Damn, I hope she is ok.

And from the bottom of my soppy girly heart, thanks for all the replies to my question. I sort of expected a piss taking and a few HTFUs and instead got a whole lot of reassurance.

I was back on my bike before the docs even let me out of the metal brace, and although the first ride to work was utterly terrifying, am proud to say I've only taken public transport once since.

Corny you were spot on; I revisited the spot where it happened, did a lot of breaking it down in my head and realised that accidents do happen and thinking of myself as a victim was a waste of energy. But I still get pretty shitty flashbacks when a white van roars past me or at a junction, and having lived in London for two years really wasn't expecting to be as shaken up as I was by seeing the accident Friday. It's pretty early days and I guess I'll never go back to the feeling of invulnerability you have before anything really painful happens to you. At the moment I seem to rollercoaster between obsessively analysing every ride I take and tripping out on how important it is to live for the moment.

Anyway, cycling was and is one of my favourite things, I'm stubborn and I'll be damned if a bit of fear is going to take that pleasure away. Plus I got a Steamroller out of it all and next week the gigantic handlebars are coming off!

You're all ace.

fluff, great thread, start to finish. rep added.

HTFU woolly back :)

hi,
i am the cyclist involved in this accident. thank you all for your support - i went through a fairly rough time and after numerous operations they managed to piece me back together again at the Royal London Hospital. I am now almost recovered and have been back on a bike :)

It's nice to hear a positive end to one of these threads for a change, thanks for posting.

It's nice to hear a positive end to one of these threads for a change, thanks for posting.

+1

Glad to hear you've recovered jemjah.

Glad to hear you're recovering jemjah - I remember fearing the worst when I first read this thread.

Yeah good to hear that you are on the mend and haven't been forced off the road.
Well done and all the best.

If you felt so inclined you could go down to Souths drinks and swap war stories with fluff as she has been through a pretty rough scrape and come out the other end as well.

JemJah it's good to hear you are recovering - i hope you heal back to full strength x

Jemjah - awesome that you're better, awesome that you're riding again, and awesome that you posted to that effect. Big plus reps.

nice one

Really pleased to hear that you are OK JemJah.

Did someone tell you about this thread or did you stumble across it? It must be odd, but maybe quite pleasing, to find a little part of the internet dedicated to your well being?

Welcome to LFGSS :-)

hi,
i am the cyclist involved in this accident. thank you all for your support - i went through a fairly rough time and after numerous operations they managed to piece me back together again at the Royal London Hospital. I am now almost recovered and have been back on a bike :)

it's good to hear you recovered, although i don't know the details, its sounds like you went through a lot.
All the best for the future. Keep posting here! and let us know how u get on.

:)))x

I opened this thread with trepidation. Marvellous to hear that, instead of what I expected, such good news. So glad to hear you are recovering and cycling. Keep it going!

Good on ya Jem. Glad to hear that you're OK and you're back on your bike

Good luck!

YouTube - Broadcast Yourself.

Jem Jem pretty damn cool - glad you are coming back, better, stronger faster

brilliant brilliant brilliant. glad you ok Jem.

ah, what a nice change to open one of these threads and hear good news!
Glad to hear you're on the mend Jem,
And as John says come down to South Drinks and swap war stories sometime, you'd be more than welcome :-)

Oh happy days! I was about to consider walking home had this thread ended differently.... Go on Jemjah!

good news.

I always avoid this bridge on the way north... soutwark bridge is MUCH safer

I always take the long way round and go over Southwark bridge... Sooooo much safer!

Sitting here smiling like an idiot at the unexpected good news.

So glad that one of these threads has a happy ending- and another vote for you to come to Souths.