2009-04-08 - Rider Down/Fatality, Elephant & Castle

.........thoughts go out to her family and friends.

+1.

drivers are always doing this. on purpose some of them. happened to me today. i had to brake to avoid collision.

Same thing happened to me last night on Lewisham round about except we actually collided. I think he underestimated my speed and pulled out on me, crashed into me and then sped off! I was relatively unscathed and later learned that a taxi driver saw what happened and followed him and reported his number plate to the feds. He has since been arrested and it's being investigated. I had a very lucky escape and someone/thing was on my side last night.

It was hard enough phoning my mum afterward to tell her about my (relatively insignificant) ordeal so I can't imagine what this poor womans family and friends must be going through. My thoughts are with them.

I agree with other forum members that drivers and cyclists need to be made aware of and educated about these dangers that can be avoided.

unbelievable, this is just horrible.

I live in Wolverhampton but I know E&C cos my mate used to live in that huge white apartment block over the road from the underground station (the one that has Nandos and the Wetherspoons pub underneath it). I remember when I visited there thinking that island was terrifying, even in a car.

RIP. Horrible news.

God, another one and on one of my regular routes too. Horrible. RIP

Terrible. RIP

Police appeal for witnesses:

http://www.london-se1.co.uk/news/view/3827

The victim in this collision has been named as 37-year old Meryem Ozekman:

http://www.thisislondon.co.uk/standard/article-23676168-details/First+photos+of+women+killed+within+24+hours/article.do

The article also contains information about Rebecca Goosen, who died at Goswell Road/Old Street/Clerkenwell Road the following day.

That corner is evil because both approach roads to it have bus/cycle lanes leading up to the lights but the corner itself is not designated and the bus lane on Newington Causeway tapers from the apex of the corner into a full lane.

Another heartbreaking appeal for witnesses:

http://www.london-se1.co.uk/news/view/3835

On a side note. There were CSO's and LCC members handing out leaflets warning about the dangers of undertaking lorries on Holloway Road this morning. I was stopped at the lights and one of them took the time to talk to a (female) cyclist next to me about specific danger points.

Which I thought was good

Probably Islington Cyclists' Action Group. They're an excellent group.

http://www.icag.org.uk/

I rode that roundabout every day for nearly a year when I lived on Old Kent Road - never a particularly nice junction. According to that "thisislondon" article the lady who died there had been complaining it was unsafe for 10 years - seems unlikely she'd have made an elementary mistake as to undertake an HGV... Unless she got caught out when the lights changed...?

The second lady seems to have been struck by a cement mixer - they seem to be more heavily involved than most...

Sad times.

http://www.thelondonpaper.com/thelondonpaper/news/london/cyclist-dies-after-collision-with-lorry-at-elephant-castle

Is this the second fatality in the same day?

Shit! I just only found out this morning that I work with the brother of female who died at E&C that day, she left 2 children behind.

Sad news.

Shit! I just only found out this morning that I work with the brother of female who died at E&C that day, she left 2 children behind.

Sorry to hear this, rocksteady. It brings it all so much closer. Such a sad and tragic loss!

It kicks you in the stomach when you make such a connection doesn't it. Like hearing about it for the first time all over again.