2011-08-06 - Rider Down/Fatality, Holloway Road

Sorry to bring this one to the top again, but @RichardOsley who seems to work for the Camden New Journal has just tweeted this:

"Man charged with manslaughter in relation to death of cyclist Samuel Harding in Holloway Road on August 6."

I've not seen anymore info, so if anyone can confirm it that would be good.

RIP rider, hopefully Justice will be done, and be seen to be done.

--Edit--

Just found this: http://www.hornseyjournal.co.uk/news/man_charged_with_manslaughter_of_cyclist_sam_harding_in_holloway_1_1195136

makes you think the whole 'child flinging door open' story was not all it was cracked up to be, also driver of NFA, how you get insurance, VED, DVLA registration docs etc? Shame another cyclist lost their life due to no fault of their own and if the manslaughter prosecution is to be upheld sounds like this chap was trying to pull a fast one and vanish under the radar. Take responsibility for your actions whether voluntary or involuntary!

R.I.P. Sam Harding

I live right next to the scene, on the corner of Jackson road. There is a biked chained up outside Holloway Cycles commemorating the rider. I hope the driver at least takes some responsibility for the accident. R.I.P.

Trial began today on this death.
December 10 (Press Association) -- A motorist went on trial today for killing a cyclist who crashed into his open car door and was crushed under the wheels of a bus.
Kenan Aydogdu, 32, denies the manslaughter of Sam Harding, 25, on one of London's busiest roads on a Saturday afternoon in August last year. Witnesses on the bus said Aydogdu, of Hindhead, Surrey, opened his door directly into the path of the cyclist. But Aydogdu told police he thought Mr Harding had lost control of his bicycle.
The judge, Mr Justice Saunders, told jurors at the Old Bailey to put any views they may have about the behaviour of motorists or cyclists out of their minds, and try the case on what they hear.
Bobbie Cheama, prosecuting, said Mr Harding had been due to move in with his girlfriend Rachel on the day he died.
He was cycling legitimately in a bus lane in Holloway Road, north London, with a bus travelling behind him.Aydogdu had bought his Audi car a month before and had the windows coated with a dark plastic film which reduced visibility in and out of the car to 17%, she said.
He was parked ahead of the cyclist in a layby along side of the bus lane, and was about to leave his car.
Miss Cheema continued: "Passengers on the bus saw the defendant open his car door into the path of the cycle. "Then Sam Harding collided with the door and was flung under the bus behind him. He died because the bus drove over him and crushed him to death."
Aydogdu told police he "opened the door a little and looked over his shoulder".
"He claimed the cyclist lost control of his bike and said he was not sure whether he hit the car or bus first," said Miss Cheema.
"The issue in the case is whether the defendant did just open his car door a little to see if it was safe to open it fully, or whether he opened it fully in one go without checking whether it was safe."

http://www.standard.co.uk/news/crime/motorist-who-knocked-cyclist-under-bus-had-only-17-vision-through-cars-tinted-window-8399206.html

This is making me angry.

Side windows should have at least 30% transparency.

I look forward to hearing how many tens of pounds the driver will have to pay out for this.

It does sound as if the driver is taking the view that it was not his fault. I will be very keen to find out what the court finds in this case. I went past the scene after it had happened - long enough that the road was closed and the white forensic/medical tent was up. An eery quiet on the Holloway Road for that time on a Saturday (?) afternoon.

In any event it sounds like they have the whole incident on CCTV which will be excellent to see whether this was driver fault or otherwise.

Sad times.

This is the guy whose grandad was the cabbie in the recent BBC 'documentary' right?

If not his grandson died in exactly the same circumstances.

I think it is, yes.

fking hell this is all very sad. heart breaking to hear he was just moving in with his gf.
i cycle up and down this road twice a day. brings it all very close to home.
why the fk those tinted windows are allowed is beyond me.
be careful out there.
condolences to Sam's family.

Thinking of Sam's family at this time and also the family of James Darby, who received no justice. http://www.darkerside.org/bikestuff/doored/

Not guilty verdict. http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-england-london-20725496

Honestly, blacked out windows, so clearly opened door without looking, kills someone. What do you need to do as a driver to be held responsible for your actions?

Kill/maim the pretty (media friendly looks) daughter of someone important like, say, Kate Middleton and I think you may see some change.

There is this one too, today: http://www.lfgss.com/post3298877-57.html

She was a reporter with the Times, and they did get involved apparently. I think you are right - someone pretty, with friends in the right places, and we might see change. But some fella on the Holloway Road? No.

A shocker. My thoughts with Sam's family. Wonder why the CCTV wasn't more conclusive? Frame-rate?

The jury took just over an hour to clear Mr Aydogdu.

Good that they gave it a lot of thought then.

What a fucking outrage.

Again !

Be safe out there

This and the Mary Bower's verdict are making me despair.

tinted windows should not be allowed full stop, they are lethal. Incredibly sad/unjust.

This and the Mary Bower's verdict are making me despair.

Likewise. It's so sad for their families and loved ones. And it perpetuates the idea that killing someone with a vehicle is not so bad, almost as if the vehicles themselves are somehow at fault, thus absolving the driver to some extent.

What a pisser.

Kill/maim the pretty (media friendly looks) daughter of someone important like, say, Kate Middleton and I think you may see some change.

Sadly +1 Fes. Sad news, my ped colleagues are talking about this in the pub. It's a bad precedent set today

A terrible and tragic injustice.
Sorry the system let you down again Sam.
RIP

Fuck sake, what a load of shit. Worst outcome in every way. RIP Sam