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Coroner's plea after new cyclist death
Rob Singh, Crime Reporter05.11.07
A coroner today demanded better safety for cyclists after the death of a writer who was hit by a lorry turning left at a junction.
Emma Foa, 56, was knocked off her bike by a 20-tonne heavy goods vehicle in Camley Street, King's Cross, in December of last year.
Recording a verdict of accidental death, St Pancras coroner Dr Andrew Reid said he had presided over too many inquests caused by collisions between lorries and cyclists.
He pledged to call on Transport for London to raise awareness of cycling safety. He said he had written to the Government after a cyclist's death at the same junction five years earlier.
"I wrote to the Secretary of State [for transport] asking her to publicise what is required of drivers and cyclists at these junctions," said Dr Reid. "With the policy being to promote cycling, action should be taken. I will write to Transport for London with a report inviting them to produce suitable literature to raise awareness of this issue."
The lorry driver, Michael Thorn, has been fined £300 after admitting a charge of driving without due care and attention at Westminster Magistrates' Court.
At Ms Foa's inquest, Thorn said he was "more cautious than most on the road".
Thorn, 52, who had driven on the same route for six years on a contract for King's Cross concrete makers Hanson, said he thought he had been sorting out some paperwork in his cab while waiting at the junction.
He checked his mirrors but had not seen Ms Foa, who was cycling to work from Hampstead, as he turned left. He said he had been distracted by a horn and did not check a second time.
Footage of the collision was shown at the inquest to Ms Foa's two grown-up daughters and husband Reg Wright, 53. Mr Wright said the hearing, where he gave evidence, was a "very thoughtful and thorough affair".
He said the family was now considering whether to pursue a civil action. "The driver clearly did not look in his mirrors - he did not see her," he said. Mr Wright added that it should be compulsory for heavy goods vehicles to be fitted with three mirrors on the near side: A proximity, reverse angle and wide-angle mirror. "There's got to be compulsory training," he said. "I would like to see automatic sensors fitted to these vehicles so they know someone is there is. A blind spot is no excuse."
Mr Wright and his family have backed the Evening Standard campaign for safer cycling in London, launched after similar deaths. A Transport for London spokesman said: "Every single person killed or injured on London's roads is one person too many, and Transport for London offers its condolences to the family and friends of Emma Foa.
"London has an excellent record on cycling, thanks to major increases in investment in cycling by the Mayor.
"Spending has risen from £ 5.5million per year in 2000 to £36million per year in 2007/08, including record amounts on improving facilities and safety for cyclists. This investment has led to a 31 per cent reduction in the number of cyclists killed or seriously injured in the capital.
"A new awareness campaign will be launched in the New Year."
Road Safety week begins today.
WHAT THE HIGHWAY CODE SAYS
* Cyclists told: Pay particular attention to long vehicles which need a lot of room to manoeuvre at corners. Be aware that drivers may not see you. They may have to move over to the right before turning left. Wait until they have completed the manoeuvre because the rear wheels come very close to the kerb while turning. Do not be tempted to ride in the space between them and the kerb.
* Drivers told: Use your mirrors and give a left-turn signal well before you turn. Do not overtake just before you turn left and watch out for traffic coming up on your left before you make the turn, especially if driving a large vehicle. Cyclists and motorcyclists may be hidden from your view. When turning, give way to any vehicles using a bus lane, cycle lane or tramway from either direction.
Reader views (14)
My brother was killed in Feb 2008 by a heavy goods vehicle in a hit and run accident. Unfortunately it was early in the morning on his way to work and there were no witnesses, and due to the forensic evidence not being conclusive enough the decision was an open verdict.
It is appalling how drivers can get away with simply claiming they did not see anything and get away due to lack of evidence.
- David Brady, Durham
I have just been in a crash with another driver who "didn't see" me.
Broad daylight, we were facing each other ... he just didn't look.
Police: take these drivers OFF THE ROAD.
- Galaxy-Tourer, Norfolk, UK
As grieving parents ourselves, we are currently working with the police to find out who is responsible for the death of our son, Sajjad Bilgrami, some six weeks ago. It has recently come to our attention, that there will be some major changes to road safety laws, especially for cyclists. Lorries will now, by law, have to be fitted with mirrors on the front and side of the cab to allow them to view blind spots. However, in my opinion, this will not be enough. It should be made compulsory, the very least at major junctions, for stop lines at traffic lights to be re-sited some one or one-and-half car lengths further back. This should resolve many issues: 1) it will give cyclists themselves more time to pick up speed and move off, 2) make the 'I didn't see him/her' remark redundant by motorists.
I sympathise with the family of Emma Foa and pray that God gives them solace and patience in this hard time.
- Mrs Bilgrami, London, England
I am so sad to say that my son has become another statistic that underlines a dire and continuing need for respect towards cyclists and awareness of them.
In July 2008, just 6 weeks ago, my 25 son, an experienced club cyclist was hit from behind and killed outright, by a Transit van whilst riding a short stretch of dual carriageway, in superb weather and visibility. The facts will emerge for sure, but will any lessons be learned? I am not sure. Having gone through every parent's nightmare, spending over 4 hours trying to find out where he was, then having to identify him in the early hours of a Friday morning, I along with my wife and daughter, am part of a grieving family right now and always will be, although soon, once I can do slightly more than putting one foot in front of the other, I shall turn my attention to seeking answers. I am so sorry for Emma and her family. I know now the pain of such a loss.
- Dave Maynard, Reading, Berks.
What a tragic waste of a young life. I send my condenseness to Emma's family.
As a fellow cyclist I think the that drivers need to be made aware of what dangers they are putting cyclist into by driving far too close and going too fast. What is the rush anyway?
In certain places there are cycle routes but they just seem to cut off in the middle of nowhere! Then were do you go? The people who design these things obviously don't use them!
- Louise Hogg, prescot, Merseyside
It’s nearly a year since my friend Emma Foa was senselessly killed by the driver of a cement mixer lorry in Kings Cross, London. Wake up all you cyclists who have been critical of other cyclists killed in road traffic accidents. But particularly shocking in this case is that if the driver had not broken the law by fumbling around for papers in his cab instead of paying due care and attention to the road, Emma would certainly not have been killed. He broke the law and he got away with it. There is nothing “inadvertent” about an action that is unlawful when it has resulted in someone being killed. Emma, you are badly missed and the world is so much poorer without you in it.
- Jonathan Stigwood, London UK
A verdict of accidental death and a £300 fine is not going to change anything.
- Grahame Andrew, London
What a tradgic waste. I feel very sorry for the family and then frustrated against the governing bodies that continue to condone these types of accidents.
I have witnessed similar events where lady cyclists are pushed onto railings by lorrys and buses turning left at traffic lights.
Then there are the 'unmarked' bendy buses. I would like to see the persons responsible for their introduction and continued use brought to account for the injuries and deaths they have caused. It's not as though they are marked with clear unambigous signs. Just the same colouring as other buses with a small verbose sign.
The cyclists involved in the vast majority of accidents I have witnessed seem to comply with the traffic code, however they exclude their own safety. Keep out yourself safe. However if you do jump red lights or encroach over the white line to make yourself seen, you are breaking the law.
Is there any one in government (local or national) really interested with bicycle safety ? If there is they are not getting the publicity.
- Chris Hunt, London
I get really irritated by people who comment on these incidents who are non-cyclists are just simply sounding off things they know nothing about. The majority of cyclists in London are careful and considerate of other road users, unfortunately their is a minority of cyclists that break the rules just like pedestrians who insist on cross the road without using their brain, car drivers, lorry drivers, what I find astonishing is how little punishment is served out for drivers who effectively murder cyclists on the road. It's an absolute travesty that yet again we have another sad incident that requires another debate about rights and wrongs. Proper punishment for these offences and ban drivers who insist on using their mobile phone while driving.
- R0nin, London
As a personal friend of Emma's, I am shocked, appalled and saddened by the callous tone of many of the other comments made above, rather along the lines of, 'sorry 'bout that, mate, but you just need to look out for yourself instead!'
I can assure you that Emma had been cycling in London for almost 20 years, and was the most careful and cautious of bikers; Emma did everything possible to ensure her own safety.
And yet we have a lorry driver who admits he did not check his mirror; he kills someone, and then is given a £300 fine for 'driving without due care'. There are bigger fines handed out every day for simple cases of speeding.
Perhaps London motorists would take greater care in watching out for cyclists if they knew they'd get charged with manslaughter and sent to prison, or at least faced with consequences that are a teeny bit heavier than a minor fine.
- Nina Ruhland, Camarillo, US
A tragic loss. But I do agree that cyclists need to take more responsibility themselves. Even this time of year there are still too many cyclists wearing dark clothing and failing to have lights fitted. If you want to be treated like a small car, then behave like one.
- Philip, London, England
As the cyclists are the more vulnerable road users, they should be given most protection. The onus should not be on cyclists to drive defensively but on 4 wheel drivers to respect others. Anybody running over a pedestrian or cyclist should automatically be declared responsible unless the cyclist or pedestrian does something really stupid or unpredictable. If you want to make cycling more popular and safe just look at Germany and the Netherlands' road legislation as they have all been cycling safely there for years.
- Esther Phillips, Leatherhead
I am saddened by this loss.I tried cycling in London for 2 years but the dangers proved too much. Very aggressive drivers and poor cycle lanes in the capital forced me back into the car. Public transport - is costly and after being verbally assaulted by youths ( and being told by the police this is a difficult area to manage)I try and avoid public transportation.
My condolences to her family. I also feel sorry for the driver who may genuinely not have seen her. If there were proper well managed cycle lanes this tragedy may have been avoided.
- Daryl Mohammed, London
Whilst I have enormous sympathy with the family of the cyclist involved in this latest incident, I recognise that cyclists do need to address their own safety as a priority.
I have been a London cycle communter for over 10 years and have realised that most of London's motorists (including myself) adopt a "protect themselves" attitude when driving in London. Sadly, this results in cyclists wrongly presuming that just by being visible to motorists is enough - as motorists are often overwhelmed with everyday traffic to worry extensively about the safety of every cyclist (despite their obligation to do so).
The reality is the only way a cyclist can ensure he has been seen is to gain eye contact with drivers. This may sound unworkable, but for the majority of dangerous situations it is the only practical way to avoid being involved in an accident. The rule for cyclists is:- if in doubt, assume they have not seen you and be prepared for an unusual and potentially dangerous manouever.
Although I do not know the exact circumstances of the article's tragic accident, the sheer number of near misses I see on a daily basis reiterates the need for cyclists to ensure they are much more responsible for their own safety on the road. Although this won't irradicate all motorist / cycle accidents, many are still avoidable.
- Martin Greenbank, London
