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@JackT
Barry Mason of Southark Cyclists was at the inquest this week into the death of Meryem Ozekman, an experienced daily cyclist, a woman in her 30s, killed by a lorry on the Elephant and Castle roundabout earlier in the year.
Barry took a near verbatim record of proceedings. It makes for difficult reading. But as Barry says, I hope it helps a bit to make a difference out there.
http://groups.yahoo.com/group/southwarkcyclists/message/8188
The verbatim record is long but I'll paste here the Coroner's Verdict:
[INDENT]Here is my verdict from the bench. There were no defects to the bicycle or lorry. The road was fine. It's clear that the bike fell to the ground and under the tank. The wheel arch was marked by contact with the cyclist. On the balance of probabilities, the bicycle fell and
the rider fell for reasons unknown. There is no evidence of a collision.
It is not clear whether the cyclist was available to be seen. It is simply not possible to check all the mirrors all the time. It seems that the cyclist fell off her bicycle, and under the lorry.
It is clear then that no one understands what happened to this fit young experienced cyclist. Many of us are cycling now and this is a sad
reminder of the risks involved.
An accident is the consequence of an unintended act. In my duty as Coroner for this Inquest into the death of Meryem Ozekman at 2.50pm on 8 April 2009 at the Elephant and Castle roundabout by Newington Causeway, I, Dr. Andrew Hearns, do find the cause of death: Accident.
By reason that Meryem Ozekman fell off her cycle and was trapped under the wheel of a lorry. Verdict: Accident.
May I give my condolences to the family, many of whom are here today. I hope that today helps you to begin to rebalance your lives.[/INDENT]