2014-01-06 - Rider Down, Russel Square

My partner's just called to say she saw the aftermath of an accident on Russell Square - not sure of the exact location; I've been told 'just South of SOAS (School of Oriental and African Studies).

Female rider, 30-ish (?), [st]grey[/st] red hybrid bike, police and ambulance in attendance, plus lots of onlookers.

I don't know if a vehicle was involved, or the extent of injuries. My partner says the lady was screaming a lot and that the medics were preparing a stretcher or back board.

I've not posted one of these threads before so I truly hope that it ends in good news, and is in keeping with the regulations of the forum - let me know if not and I will edit.

It's horrible to say this but reading that I was actually glad your report she was making a lot of noise. We can but hope that this means she begins healing now and remains conscious. Horrible! Here's hoping she recovers completely.

Just passed. The accident was at the corner Montague Place and Russell Square. Ambulance and police still in attendance, and a stopped coach. Can't give sum more info than that. Fingers crossed.

I was one of the first on the scene - I was walking away on the phone and was alerted by a crash and a blood curdling scream. The rider, in high-viz was on the floor.

I'm a first aider so ran in and made sure she was supported so could remain in position without moving her or the bike that was between her legs still and the lower leg looked a bit crooked. Rider said she had turned left from Russell Sq into Montague Pl and a bus had turned right from Montague Pl to Russell Sq. Despite it clearly stating 'no right turn except for cycles' on a sign. I see at least one driver do that a week at that junction.

Fortunately the building I work in is next door and full of doctors and nurses who have additional responsibility for education so within a minute or so a doc was there with me so I let him take over.

I tracked him down and e-mailed him today and he said she had been taken to hospital with a broken and dislocated ankle.

He also said that the driver of the bus that allegedly made an illegal right turn had been arrested but I can't guarantee that's the case.

Fingers crossed S (I have her name but out of respect for her privacy I won't say it) I hope you have a speedy and uncomplicated recovery.

Good work LEW23. Glad you were there.

Well done.

Thanks for the help here LEW23. This was a friend of mine's girlfriend. I passed on the thread details to him.

Get well soon, unfortunate rider. Despite not knowing the circumstances of this inciden, my instinct as a pedestrian and rider makes hope you can find the help you need to sue the arse off the driver.

Hello everyone, I'm the boyfriend, Allensea mentioned and thought I'd let you know what happened.

She was heading down Montague Pl to Russell Sq, and turned right, as cycles are allow to. The coach came from behind, did an illegal right turn and hit her rear wheel. The coach's rear wheel went over her left foot, crushed it and also broke both the bones in her lower leg as the weight of the coach snapped her leg over the bike frame.

Not a nice situation. I was only 5 minutes behind her (we cycle the same route home), so saw her before the ambulance took her away. On Thursday she had an operation (yes it took 3 days of waiting!) to put a metal bar in her leg and 3 rods across her foot to hold it in shape. This will be the first of a many operations.

Out of 28 bones in the foot, 26 are crushed and she will never run again (she was training for a half marathon in March) and might not be able to wear heels.

The driver was charged at the scene with dangerous driving and a traffic offence. The police have 4 witnesses willing to testify that he was in the wrong. Fingers crossed the courts actually do something.

I'd like to say a massive thank you to all the well wishers and the people that helped at the scene. Especially, the person that called the nursery to help put her mind at rest that our boy would be looked after until I got there.

Jesus, coaches are always a presence there due to the BM, really glad to hear she's recovering, and thank you for posting an update.

Glad to hear she is going to be ok. Shit outcome but could have been so much worse. Fuck those coach drivers with their white socks and grey farahs.

Hope She gets well. All the best.

Scary to read, glad that she had lots of support and a chance to see you (Ihavegears). All the best to your family and I hope for quick recovery.

All the best for a speedy recovery, sounds like a horrible horrible situation and I hope the shock of it isn't too much for both of you.

She sounds like a tough cookie, having the presence of mind to ask someone to ring the nursery after having her leg broken over her bike. Quick recovery to her and don't believe all the Docs say about "never [insert favourate pastime]ing again." Anything is possible with motivation. And definately sue.

don't believe all the Docs say about "never [insert favourate pastime]ing again." Anything is possible with motivation. And definately sue.

This.
So very very this.

Best wishes to the rider down. I'm often through that junction so this feels close to home.

Best wishes to the rider down. I'm often through that junction so this feels close to home.

Likewise, heal up soon.

I went past this junction last night and the no right turn sign had been spray painted out... Very odd.

Covering their arses?

That is, indeed, very strange.

I hope the cyclist can prove the sign was visible (if it was that day), sounds to me like the driver may have arranged this to wriggle out of the charge...

Can you tell I'm not keen on coach drivers?

well this isn't the place for theorising, I was just pointing this out for those more closely related to the injured.

Even if it's legal to turn right, the driver still drove really badly that cause severe harm to other.

It still shows a no right turn on google street view if that matters/helps

https://maps.google.co.uk/maps?q=montague+place&ie=UTF-8&ei=UD3VUs28NoGihgfukoCYAg&ved=0CAgQ_AUoAg

If you believe this sign has been overpainted recently, perhaps this should be reported to the Police.
Perhaps this should be reported to the police anyway.