“Die-in” and vigil planned in memory of cyclist killed in Homerton

A cyclist became the second killed by a tipper truck in Hackney within the space of a fortnight when he was crushed in Homerton High Street last night.

The 34-year-old man from Dalston was hit by the tipper truck which was turning left onto Homerton High Street from Wardle Street at 4.20pm.

Safety campaign group Stop Killing Cyclists (SKC) is organising a “die-in” and vigil at the site on Monday at 6.30pm, where cyclists lie on the ground en-masse as if they have been run over.

The event will be similar to that held for pysiotherapist Stephanie Turner, 29, who was killed at the junction of Amhurst Road and Seven Sisters Road on January 20.

Co-founder of SKC - which was set up in November 2013 following a spate of deaths - Donnachadh McCarthy, said: “We are just horrified there has been another tragic death in such a short space of time on London’s roads.

“We believe it’s a wake up call to both h council and the london mayor that protected cycle lanes should be a top investment and safety priority.”

Fire fighters from nearby Homerton Fire Station battled to save the man along with paramedics but he was pronounced dead at the scene.

The road was shut off until late for traffic police to analyse the crash scene.

The driver of the lorry stopped at the scene and is assisting police with their enquiries.

SKC is calling for segregated cycle lanes, similar to those on the Dutch road network.

Mr McCarthy explained: “In Holland if you were turning left you would have a barrier between you and the traffic, and if you were turning right you would have a barrier and a specific cycle and pedestrian phase with the traffic lights to allow them to go at a time that’s different from HGV trucks.

“A bicycle and a truck would not have to mingle as closely as they do in London.

“We need the streets to be safe for eight year olds again, they don’t design the roads in Holland as if you are a perfect driver and cyclist, they take human error into account. The “die-ins” have significantly changed public opinion and raised awareness in the media but it hasn’t made any change on the ground, which is why we are continuing.”