Saw a poor cyclist dead underneath a bus in Holloway

agg25

On Saturday, riding to get my shock fixed, came out of Tesco and a bus is stopped in a weird position, and the first of many cops had arrived to the scene. As I got closer I could see body parts underneath the bus.
Then I saw the bike behind the bus.
From a witness, he said the cyclist had been riding along when a parked car opened his door up on him, hitting him and forcing him into the path of the bus driving down the bus lane. He wouldn't have stood a chance.
The driver of the car was arrested on the spot.
It was quite shocking and a strong reminder to give a wide berth to parked cars as there are idiots everywhere. Better to piss off the guy behind you than cop a door.
Apparently it's the biggest cause of accidents in London involving cyclists as well.
RIP matey.

jimmypippa

jamesco

Jesus bloody Christ, that's awful. I'm very sorry for the victim, and hope that you're not too shaken by what you saw.

Origamist

To the OP, if you need help with coming to terms with what the aftermath of the RTC, I'd recommend seeking professional counselling.

EDIT: thread title amended.

aripallaris

jesus that is brutal. RIP

johnboy183

Sounds absolutely awful. My condolences to family. RIP

cjcp

Origamist wrote:

It might be advisable to change the title of this thread in case family members or friends of the deceased happen upon it.

To the OP, if you need help with coming to terms with what the aftermath of the RTC, I'd recommend seeking professional counselling.

+1.

RIP.

Origamist

More tragic detail here:

Cyclist who died in Holloway Road named
by Tom Marshall
Tuesday, August 9, 2011
7:07 PM


Samuel Harding, 25, of Crouch End, was crushed under a single-decker 153 bus on Holloway Road, Holloway, at around 1pm on Saturday, near the junction with Jackson Road.

It is believed he was in collision with an open car door immediately before being involved in the accident with the bus.

Abrahim Getin, manager at Café Demsal, directly in front of the scene, said: “This was a freak accident. It was a little mistake, but it cost a life.”

Floral tributes were left tied to a lamppost at the scene.

David Chirico, 42, a cyclist who lives in Hercules Street, Holloway, who visited to pay his respects, said: “It’s extremely dangerous coming down this road – cars go extremely fast. It’s very difficult for cyclists, who have to go in the bus lane, and you don’t know when buses are going to pull out.”

Mr Harding is the third cyclist who has died on Islington’s roads this year.

Dr Colin Hawkes, 64, a leading child protection expert, was killed in a collision in Carleton Road, Holloway, in January, while painter and decorator Gavin Taylor, 40, died in Wolsey Road, Newington Green, in April. Holloway Road, meanwhile, claimed the life of cyclist Lisa Pontecorvo in 2008.

Chris Ashby, of Islington Cyclists Action Group, called for a 20mph speed limit to be extended from the borough’s smaller roads onto all main roads. He added: “It’s desperately sad. Our deepest sympathies go out to the family.

“We don’t know who is to blame, but we always advise cyclists to stay well away from parked vehicles. Drivers just so often open their doors and it’s the most frequent cause of a collision.”

A 31-year-old man was arrested and has been bailed to return to police in December.

An inquest was opened and adjourned into Mr Harding’s death this morning.

Detectives are appealing for witnesses to contact them on 020 8998 5319.

http://www.islingtongazette.co.uk/news/ ... d_1_989302

Headhuunter

Yeah doorings are scary, I always try to give the sides of cars a wide berth, take the lane if you have to.

I saw a guy on a Boris bike almost go under a black cab this morning, for some reason cyclists alway seem to get up next to cars when they are foing straight across that roundabout from Holborn into Holborn Viaduct heading east and the majority of cars and taxis seem to want to head leftish down Charterhouse St which inevitably means cyclists get hit or cut up. I would have thought it would pretty much be the cyclists fault, never ride alongside a car when there's a turning to the left...

nation

Nearly got doored earlier this week. 15cm further to my right and I probably would have been dumped under a bus as well.

Sobering.

Koncordski

Desperately sad.

Make sure you talk through what you saw as others above have suggested.

whitestar1

I am so sorry for the victim. I hope the family are strong enough to survive the grief. I have had a number of close shaves with drivers opening doors. I am a driver myself and always check my mirrors - whats so hard with that?

Initialised

I used to live round there. Didn't like riding on Holloway, this is why.

zenistar

Terribly sad and I feel for anyone who saw the incident or had to deal with it afterwards.