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First photos of women killed within 24 hours
Peter Dominiczak and Benedict Moore-Bridger15.04.09
THE grieving families and friends of two women cyclists killed on London's roads called on the Government today to do more to make the roads safer.
The two women were crushed in similar but separate accidents within 24 hours of each other last week.
Meryem Ozekman, 37, a fitness instructor from Southwark, was crushed by a lorry last Wednesday on the notorious Elephant and Castle roundabout.
Less than 24 hours later, 29-year-old architect Rebecca Goosen was crushed to death by a 32-tonne cement mixer when turning left into Goswell Road from Old Street, in Clerkenwell.
The deaths came as Mayor Boris Johnson unveiled plans to allow cyclists to go through red traffic lights legally when turning left. But today Mrs Ozekman's devastated family said the new measure was too little, too late.
Grieving colleagues at the architectural firm where Ms Goosen worked said the company was planning a campaign for road safety for cyclists.
'She often said that roundabout wasn't safe'
MERYEM OZEKMAN was a cycling enthusiast who had complained for 10 years about the roundabout on which she was killed last week.
Her devastated family spoke today about how Mrs Ozekman often said the roads around the Elephant and Castle roundabout were not safe enough for cyclists.
The 37-year-old, from Southwark, who ran aerobic classes at Fusion leisure centres in Peckham, Dulwich and Elephant and Castle, became trapped between railings and a truck as she turned a corner on the roundabout last week.
An air ambulance helicopter attended but paramedics pronounced her dead at the scene.Her husband, Erbay, a 42-year-old gym instructor, told the Standard today that his wife refused to drive to work because it was harmful to the environment. He accused the Government of "not caring about cyclists".
He said: "For 10 years she had been complaining about that roundabout. She had two or three near-misses there in the past.
"I always tried to convince her to let me drive her to work but she wouldn't let me. She wouldn't have stopped cycling for anything. She didn't like taking cars because she said it hurt the environment.
"The fact is this Government does not care about cyclists. They have spoken about changing the roundabout for years but they just don't want to spend any money."
Her 18-year-old daughter Neslihan said: "My mum was beautiful and was my rock. She will never be forgotten."
Mr Ozekman said the family were struggling to cope. He said: "My daughter goes to the scene every day with flowers. I haven't slept for four days and my youngest daughter, Gulgun, wakes up screaming in the night. All I can hope for is that what happened to my wife prevents other people from dying. Something has to be done quickly to stop this kind of thing happening again and again."
Architect who dreamed of living in London
REBECCA GOOSEN, who was crushed to death by a cement mixer lorry while cycling to work, had always dreamed of living in London, a close friend revealed.
The architect was half a mile from her office when she was struck by a 32-tonne truck in the City.
Paramedics and firefighters tried to save the 29-year-old, but she was pronounced dead at the Royal London Hospital in Whitechapel.
The German national arrived in London from her home in a small village outside Hamburg in 2007.
She secured a position at Metropolitan Workshop, whose office is close to the scene of the accident, and helped to plan social housing projects in Dublin. Cristina Schoenborn, 30, who shared a home with Ms Goosen in Bethnal Green, said: "It was her dream to live in London. We are all shocked and devastated. I am missing her terribly."
Her family in Germany and boyfriend in Dublin were said to be "devastated" by her death.
Dilek Kocak, 34, manager at a nearby Costa Coffee, tried to help Ms Goosen as she lay trapped.
She said: "She was trying to talk but I couldn't really hear her. I felt really helpless. I am a nurse, and there was an off-duty doctor on the scene, but we had no equipment.
"The lorry had a warning sound saying 'turning left, turning left' that was still going off. But maybe she didn't hear it - it's so noisy here."
Mark Cox, 30, manager of Nusa Kitchen in Old Street, said: "There are lots of accidents here. Two weeks ago a motorcycle and a car collided as the car turned left and the bike went straight."
Ms Kocak added: "This is the most dangerous junction in London. I have been here two years and I have seen or heard of something every other week."
Police investigasting the crash have arrested a 34-year-old man on suspicion of causing death by dangerous driving.
Reader views (22)
I am deeply saddened to hear the news of Meryem's passing; I offer my heartfelt sympathy to her family and friends for their loss.
I am just privileged to count myself as one of her 'regulars',having attended her ever popular Dulwich classes for several years. Not only was she a highly experienced, skilled and knowledgeable fitness professional, and reknown (especially among her students) for her phenomenal work ethic and reliablity, she also had an infectious enthusiasiam, a sweet and sunny disposition which always shone bright throughout. Meryem will be truly missed .
- Barbara, London UK
To all the commenters who have pontificated on the causes of these collisions and the responsibility for what happened: Please show some sensitivity for those who have lost their loved ones. And before jumping to blame the victims, I suggest waiting to find out the results of the inquests.
There are any number of scenarios that could have led to these terrible outcomes, with fault on either side, or none at all. We have inquests to get to the bottom of these things. In the meantime it would be better for all concerned to focus on what constructive steps can be taken to reduce the risks to everyone on the roads.
- Jack, London
We operate Readymix trucks in London and have in the past 3 weeks held Health & Safety meetings with all our Independant Haulier drivers. The topic of watching out for cyclists was covered in great detail. Our Company was the first fitting proximity sensors , additional mirrors, rear view cameras, warning signs for cyclists and audible warning of vehicle turning left.
We are all saddened by the recent death.
- M P C, London
R.I.P Meryem. I cant believe your gone after i was trying to convince you to stop cycling as I knew it was not safe anymore. It's like God had been showing me signs but I never thought you would go so soon. I will cherish the 4 years of working with you in Dulwich for the rest of my life and you will always have a place in my heart. I admire your passion for your work and how no situation was ever too big for you. You are a wonderful and most beautiful woman I have ever known and I am finding it hard to go on without you. You have two wonderful girls who are proud of everything you did for them. Sleep peacefully "my short stuff" and hopefully we shall reunite again. All my love xxx
- Cathryn, London, UK
When I lived at the Elephant nearly 30 years ago and was a member of Southwark Cyclists we got a cycle by-pass put in (crossing Newington Butts). It is still there but is it advertised and promoted?
BarryE
- Barry Edwards, London, England
Richard of Manchester, note: According to the highway code it is illegal to undertake vehciles unless you are in a designated lane. Cyclists, UNLESS in a cycle lane, must OVER take slow or stationary traffic on the outside. So V from London is quite correct.
- Bob, Enfield
My thoughts are with the families but also with all UK cyclists who at risk everyday because drivers don't follow simple road rules. When turning left in Germany, were Rebecca no doubt learnt her road awareness, it is legislation for all road users to stop and check for passing pedestrians/cyclists. Rebecca probably thought the lorry driver would do exactly this.
The UK traffic code 182 also suggests this:
'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, motorcyclists and other road users in particular may be hidden from your view'.
After several near misses myself I now know London drivers don't understand these fundamentals and always ride to the front and if necessary do red lights because its safer. The driver didn't intend for this to happen but should have looked out.
- Felix, london
I saw the aftermath of the Cement Mixer crash and it was terrible and my heart goes out to the family of the dead woman. It seemed evident from what I could see that the only way this accident could have happened was from the cyclist undertaking the lorry as it was turning left. As a cyclist myself I feel that although it is our right to an equal use of the road it is also our responsibility to ride with our own protection in mind, as no matter who is at fault in an accident, the only person who will be injured or killed is the cyclist, not a driver.
- Andy, London, UK
Boris's only contribution so far is to let motorbikes in to bus lanes. This has made life for cyclists much more dangerous and I now wouldn't recommend it to anyone.
- Ivan, London
As a cyclist; I tend to agree with Laura, London, UK.
Women do tend to obey the laws of the Highway Code: and the road laws in general.
This makes them more venerable than men; who by and large tend to play safe and get ahead of motor vehicles at traffic lights and road junctions etc.
Nobody is safe on two wheels; on heavily congested roads, with all kinds of heavy vehicles all around them; this is why most cyclists have to break the laws as they are today; or they face injury or death etc.
You have to be a cyclist; to know why cyclists are often forced to break the law; it is better in my opinion; to face a court for breaking the law; than end up in a grave or hospital bed.
One should never judge another; till they have walked a mile in their shoes; they say.
Cyclists kill very few people; if any at all; motorists kill 60 people a week, and injure thousands more etc.
Who or the two groups are the real problem to human life?
- Mickyinlondon, london
Why is the mayor so against the kind of cycle lanes on offer in other European cities? They keep cyclists clear of dangerous traffic and they would help to avert tragedies like these. Oh, I forgot, he's a Tory and is a yes man for the motoring lobby.
- Matt, London UK
V, you are v.silly. Tracy, Watford, since when was it illegal to undertake a stationary vehicle or one moving slower than you? You weren't there to comment, many witnesses will instinctively blame a cyclist before a motorist. There are many professional lorry drivers who drive responsibly and there are a few who should not be behind the wheel of a lorry. I'm not saying this is the case with this particular driver.
- Richard, Manchester
- V. London - Wow, what an intelligent comment. I think you'll find the idea is to allow cyclists to turn left when the light is red, not jump all red lights. It works fine in the Germany (turning right of course) and in the US it also works for cars. Why shouldn't it work here?
- Paul, Chatham, UK
While I feel sorry for the loss of 2 lives, I still think that cyclists should undergo some form of compulsory competence test. Accidents like these may then be avoided.
- Jock, London
Boris brings up the red light subject at the same time as shelving plans to develop the E&C roundabout.
- Nick, Kingston
My father witnessed the accident in Old Street and the cyclist undertook the cement lorry hence her ending up under the back wheels of the lorry. I feel deeply sorry for the family for their loss. However the driver also has to live with this and this was not his fault but a rather reckless action of a cyclist thinking they are invisable and he now has to pay the price. Numerous persons have given this driver their details as witnesses as why should he be prosecuted. My thoughts and prayers go out to both families who have lost loved ones but also to the lorry drivers and their families.
- Tracey, Watford
Most cycling fatalities are women. It is thought this is because women cyclists are more likely to sit amongst the traffic at lights where they are not seen by drivers, rather than weave through to the front. They are also more likely to wait on red which puts them in further danger as cars and bikes pull away simultaneously.
Boris's proposal makes a lot of sense, but it seems like a inefficient and cheap quick-fix to the problem which demands more investment in cycle lanes.
- Laura, London, UK
RIP
- Dan, London
A note to V, London - thank you for your sensitive comments, saying that cyclists getting away from danger deserve a "good kicking". How VERY pleasant of you. I am pleased in a way it wasn't your daughter crushed to death for riding her bike legally.
What would be more intelligent is to suggest a solution, which would be better near-side mirrors for all big vehicles, and better training for the drivers. But, being a driver of a large vehicle myself, other road users can just appear and by then it can be too late, even with mirrors that cover all the road. Cyclists must be aware that riding alongside the near-side of a large road user, at a junction, is an absolute no-no. Just hang back, the time wasted could be life saved. I was taught to trust no-one on the road and cyclists should be taught the same, in every situation.
I do feel for the lorry drivers involved in the accidents, who will be absolutely devestated.
- Rod, Epping, UK
And Boris wants cyclists to be able to plough into pedestrians through red lights?
Something needs to be done clearly.
- Frank, Home Counties, England.
All these cycle deaths have one thing in common -- left turns where truck drivers can't see the cyclist. Why not establish a narrow, cycle turning lane having a barrier both sides, i.e. add an outer barrier a few feet outside the existing barrier at corners? Or, allow cyclists to ride across the pavement when turning left at corners? With the number of cyclists increasing, there's going to be more similar deaths if a solution isn't found.
- Phil Jones, London UK
Brilliant idea to consider allowing cyclists to jump red lights - exactly the type of nonsense one would expect from Boris - dont penalise the wrongdoing but encourage the currently illegal practice of actively disobeying the rules that are there to make the roads safe for everyone. You could not make it up!
Personally, if I see a cyclist jump the red light and then get involved in an accident, I would be minded to go and give him/her a good kicking!
- V, London
