Woman cyclist suffers 'life changing' injuries after crash with tipper truck in Camden

 
Wreckage: The woman's mangled bike next to the front wheels of the tipper truck Picture: Nigel Howard
Daniel Obrien22 October 2013

A cyclist knocked off her bike by a skip truck in a busy north London high street was in a serious condition in hospital today with what are expected to be life-changing injuries.

The cyclist, who is in her 20s, was hit while cycling along Camden High Street towards Camden Lock at 4pm yesterday.

Witnesses heard a “shocking scream” as her bicycle was dragged under the truck.

They said she had been travelling on the right-hand side of a tipper truck heading straight along the road when it turned left into Delancey Street, colliding with the bike and dragging it under its front wheels.

Nigel Howard

The woman, who has not been named, was taken to St Mary’s Hospital in Paddington where she remains in a serious but stable condition.

The 44-year-old lorry driver stopped at the scene and was later arrested on suspicion of careless driving. He remains in custody at a north London police station.

Alex Silvester, manager of Headmasters hair salon opposite the scene, said he looked out of the shop window just as the woman and the vehicle collided.

Cordon: Passers-by walk past the tipper truck as police investigate Picture: Nigel Howard

“The first thing we heard was a scream and then we saw the bike go under the wheel,” he said. “We managed to get over to her and she was conscious. She was moaning and the bike was smashed in. I asked if anyone else knew first aid but by that point the police were there. She was stuck in the bars of the bike and they had to use something to cut her out.

“The driver was in the cab. He opened the door and said ‘is she alright?’ and then he just closed the door. He looked as ill as she did really. He just had his head in his hands the whole time.”

He added: “It was her scream that was shocking.”

Crash scene: Police clear away debris Picture: Nigel Howard

Graham Spencer, 54, from Camden, had been walking along the High Street when he saw the cyclist “disappear” behind the lorry before hearing a loud crash. He said the junction with Delancey Street was notoriously hazardous to cyclists.

“I would say that corner is very dangerous,” he said. “The lorries put their indicators on to turn left and the bikes try to get around the outside but they just get clipped. I think they should have some sort of cycle lane on the road.”

There have been eight cycling fatalities in London this year, with many of the accidents involving HGVs. Last week an inquest was held into the death of French-born student Philippine De Gerin-Ricard, 20, who became the first person to be killed riding a for-hire “Boris bike” when she collided with a lorry in July.

Crushed: The woman's mangled bike, right after she was cut free from the frame by rescue workers Picture: Nigel Howard

In September the rising death toll from accidents involving cyclists and lorries prompted London Mayor Boris Johnson to announce compulsory safety measures for HGVs.

Police investigating yesterday’s crash are appealing for witnesses to come forward.

Detective Sergeant Steve Pidgeon said: “I need to hear from anybody who witnessed the collision or the moments leading up to it. I am particularly keen to speak with a pedestrian who was crossing Delancey Street at the time of the collision, and a cyclist who was riding a short distance ahead of the cyclist injured.”

Anyone with information should call police on 020 8842 1817.

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