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Tributes to cyclist killed in hit-and-run
Peter Dominiczak19 May 2009
A cyclist killed in a hit-and-run crash with a lorry was about to buy a house and start a family, friends said today.
Adrianna Skrzypiec, 31, died in Greenwich, south east London, as she was cycling home from work to one of her best friend's birthday at a local pub.
She was hit by a lorry at the junction of Woolwich Road and the Kent-bound A102 and died at the scene. The driver of the truck did not stop and is yet to be found by police.
Friends said today that Ms Skrzypiec had only been cycling for six months and had often complained about the stretch of road where she died in Friday's accident.
Ms Skrzypiec, who worked as a supervisor for fashion website Net-A-Porter, moved to Greenwich from Szczecin in the north of Poland six years ago.
Known as Adusia to her friends, she lived in Rotherhithe with her 37-year-old boyfriend, Tomek Koziolek.
Friends said today that Ms Skrzypiec and her boyfriend, who were keen supporters of West Ham United, enjoyed travelling and had also just booked tickets for a holiday to Brazil.
Weronika Olszewska, 32, who came to London with Ms Skrzypiec, described her today as an “incredibly lively and open person who loved life”.
She said: “Adusia was incredibly popular and had lots of friends. She only started cycling six months ago but she took her bike to work every day. She always told us she was scared when she was cycling on Woolwich Road, especially on the junction where she died.
“She was an incredibly careful cyclist. She always wore her helmet and she never went through red lights. We were all so shocked to hear about the crash.”
Ms Olszewska said Ms Skrzypiec's boyfriend was struggling to cope with her death.
“Tomek is devastated but thankfully he has a lot of Adrianna'a friends around him. The two of them loved travelling and had just booked a trip to Brazil.
“Tomek wasn't even allowed to go and identify her body because the injuries she suffered were so bad. Now we just want the driver of the truck to come forward. We can't understand how no CCTV cameras picked up what happened.”
She called for more cycle paths to be built in the area to prevent more deaths on the busy stretch of road.
“The roads just are not safe enough for cyclists. People on bikes shouldn't even be on dangerous roundabouts. There should be cycle paths around them so something like this does not happen again,” she said.
Friends said that Ms Skrzypiec's mother was too distressed by the news to travel to London and that the funeral will take place in Poland.
Police said today that they are still investigating the accident and are examining CCTV footage from local shops. They said the lorry that hit Ms Skrzypiec had a blue plastic or canvas covering on its side and appealed for any witnesses to come forward.
Members of local cycling group Greenwich Cyclists have placed a white-painted bicycle at the scene of the crash as a road-side memorial.
Anyone who witnessed the collision or has information that may assist police should call the Collision Investigation Unit at Catford Traffic Garage on 020 8285 1574.
Reader views (28)
Why don't TFL provide any cycle routes along the riverside paths of the Thames in central London?
That would enable anyone near the river travelling east to west a more quiet segregated traffic free route to their destination. I'm sure that would save some lives each year.
- John, Motorist, London, 11/01/2010 13:47
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Us Londoners are more likely to be killed on the roads than at the hands of terrorists, yet a driver and vehicle are still trundling around London after being involved in a fatal collision. I can't believe CCTV did not catch the driver.
- Simon Chapman, Bromley By Bow, 11/01/2010 12:47
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There is no CCTV evidence as cameras on that road are only for the purpose of traffic enforcement and they don't record anything apart from that. Shocking isn't it? We would expect them to increase our safety but in fact they serve a completely different purpose.
- Klaudiusz, london, 11/01/2010 12:47
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Another tragic waste of life. About time society arranged itself to respect individuals rather than machines that pollute and kill.
- Philip, London, England, 11/01/2010 12:47
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Condolences to the family so sorry for your loss.I saw the white bike on my way home and it made my heart heavy.
Its one of the most scariest intersections on my journey.
- Jo, London, 11/01/2010 12:47
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Planning staff at TfL and Greenwich council have long neglected the brutal conditions on London's roads, with lethal consequences.
These faceless bureaucrats talk the talk of road safety and cycling promotion while privately condemning innocent people to death through their decisions.
These individuals are directly responsible for the un-necessary death of Adriana and others.
It is time to name names and bring those responsible to account for the consequences of their actions.
- Paul, London, UK, 11/01/2010 12:47
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If only a fraction of the money going to the Olympics had been set aside to build cycle paths, we would have the best cycle network in the world, lower our greenhouse gases - which in future will save everybody tons of money and a healthier, less stressed out population.
- Esther Phillips, Surrey, 11/01/2010 12:47
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My partner works with Adrianna Skrzypiec and we saw the bicycle a couple of days ago before we heard the news last night that it was her that had died. We're very shocked as is everyone who works with her. It is about time the Government puts in more cycle routes to make cycling on the roads safer for cyclists and so more of us will cycle rather than use cars. How many more people need to die before this happens? It's a complete waste of life. The area she died in is scary and we can only imagine the driver didn't know he had hit her which is why he drove off and didn't stop. That no one saw the accident is shocking in itself though it most likely happened really fast. Driving along that stretch is scary enough in itself. Condolences to her family.
- Jm, London, 11/01/2010 12:47
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i wrote to greenwich council in january regarding that roundabout saying that it was so dangerous and an accident waiting to happen. Nothing was ever done...now look what's happened. I used to cycle along that route everyday, but would now raher cycle over shooters hill than go near that roundabout. it's a sad sad time. The ghost bike there should stay as a reminder to all those who travel in London that cyclists are on the road too. If anyone cycles along that route ALWAYS let a car go first, don't be the first to cross that junction. The phasing of the traffic lights is ridiculous. RIP
- Dan, london, 11/01/2010 12:47
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This is terrible news, my sympathy goes out to the family and friends and i hope the driver left the scene without knowledge of what he had done. to believe a person could do this knowingly and flee the scene is pretty hard to believe.
The government need to be serious in clearing up this trouble spots for cyclists, as Mike says it would be nice for them to use our money on protecting our needs rather than filling there pockets...
- Pip, Laaandan, 11/01/2010 12:47
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Despite all the money paid out by europe for safe cycling motor vehicles are still given priority.
Even here in france cyclists are "tolerated" on tow paths although its over 50 yrs since a horse drawn canal boat has been used.
I still remember the last time I took a London to Birmingham cycle path opened by Tony as a great green initiative. It was green - Nettles and brambles!
The route to Dover from London is green and shiney - Broken beer bottles.
- Terry, Hennebont France, 11/01/2010 12:47
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This is awful, another young promising life wasted. The government as usual have lots to say but really do nothing. Look at the way other European countries cater for cyclists. My sincere condolences to the family.
Robert, Whitstable
- Robert, Sissons, Whitstable, Kent, England, 11/01/2010 12:47
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May I offer my condolence to the family for their loss.
- Alan, East London, 11/01/2010 12:47
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This is getting too much!! My son Anthony 25 died, hit by a van last July whilst riding on a perfect summers evening near Henley on Thames. The driver was "blinded" by the sun and the Crown Prosecution Service brought no case.
We were both members of Reading Cycling club, I still am.
Just search his name and you will see how the world is poorer through his loss.
The noble activity of cycling is being wrecked by idiots in cars, who don't give a thought to the devastation left behind through a moment's carelessness. We are still in the dark ages. I am a grieving dad, married to a grieving mother, with a daughter who lives in London and loved to ride, but is afraid now, of those hostile London streets.
The future of transport does not lie with the car, but no one seems to understand or be willing to accept that.
It seems, you can get stabbed and the whole world wants to know, but nine times that number get killed every day on our roads and it's back page news.
It's insanity
Dave.
- Dave Maynard, Reading England, 11/01/2010 12:47
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I don't know what sort of person could run over a cyclist and drive away, but that person should come forward immediately. He or she must have family, and give at least some value to human life.
- Mark, Venice, Italy, 11/01/2010 12:47
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This government has consistently failed to force haulage companies to fit life-saving mirrors to their trucks. The result? another needless death on the roads. http://www.lcc.org.uk/index.asp?PageID=1319
- Fluffy_Mike, London, 11/01/2010 12:47
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Nearly 1 in every 6 pedal cyclist casualties (16 per cent) in the UK occurs in a ‘hit and run’ accident – a total of 2,665 in 2007 of which 337 were seriously injured and 16 killed. Pedal cyclists are over-represented in these accidents, representing 11 per cent of hit and run casualties (compared with 7 per cent of all casualties) –
Source - Department of Transport
- Andrew Robertson, London, 11/01/2010 12:47
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My son, a year on, we still miss him, please see my earlier comment.
I was driving through a village a few weeks ago and saw a sign
"Speed Thrills, Pain Lasts"
How well do I know that.
Adrianna was a lovely girl, I can see that.
I know Tomek will be grieving deeply still. My heart goes out to him and of course I empathize with him.
If only motorist Thought. We could have double the amount of traffic and 100th the amount of accidents.
Dave, the father who once had a son.
- Dave Maynard, Berkshire England, 11/01/2010 12:47
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We were informed by the police that cameras on this road do not record ongoing traffic but are used only for traffic enforcement and this is why there is no CCTV from these cameras-which we don't find right. They have to collect evidence from the buses and shops nearby.
- Paulina, London, 11/01/2010 12:47
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During the four-and-a-half years I worked in London, I diced with death each day by walking from Blackfriars to Haymarket. I was once even cut up by a routemaster running a red light when I was trying to cross Haymarket. London is hazardous enough for pedestrians, let alone cyclists who have to share the road with so many lunatic motorists.
- Richard, Madrid, Spain, 11/01/2010 12:47
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So as we have said for years CCTV camera's used for 'traffic enforcement' are CASH COWs only.
If this lorry driver is not caught and taken of the roads how many more will he and his like kill?
- Mike, London England, 11/01/2010 12:47
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I am so sad about this, but not at all surprised. I cycle that route every day and it IS scary. I have only been cycling for a month and have just built up the confidence to cycle around that roundabout, but now I won't ever do it again. Seeing the white bike every day reminds me. Cyclists can't win. We get in trouble for riding on the pavement, but the roads are too dangerous. What can we do? My thoughts are with Adrianna's family and friends.
- Jenny, London, 11/01/2010 12:47
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Everyone says "Be green! Cycle!" My question is "WHERE?"....We dont have enough SAFE roads for bycycles...Yes, I can be green soon, under the ground...Adriana was my very good friend...
- Iska, London, 11/01/2010 12:47
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Putting it crudely as a financial argument, Adrianna's death will cost the economy roughly £1.3m. How much would it have cost to have made improvements to the roundabout? My thoughts are with her family and friends.
- Chiefsub68, Colchester UK, 11/01/2010 12:47
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The lights on this junction doesn't have a delay between one turning red and the next turning green. If anyone jumps a red light they are likely to cause an accident by hitting a vehicle that has passed a green light.
- S Scans, Woolwich, 11/01/2010 12:47
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I was given a ticket the other day for cycling on a pavement of a road that is too dangerous and no cycle lanes provided. I too have lost 3 friends through cycling. This country is gone to the dogs .
Condolences to Adriana's family..she came here to start a new life ...
- Dan, Barkingside, redbridge, 11/01/2010 12:47
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Drivers are usually to blame in these kinds of cases. But I also believe that cyclists don't fully comprehend the dangers of the road. I believe its this, and not being skilled enough to be on the road that helps bring about these tragic events. If someone wishes to drive a car or ride a motorbike on the road, they need to pass a rigorous test, which is done primarily, to test that person's ability to deal with the risks that will be presented to them on road. Yet anyone can get on a bike and put their lives in danger at any time with no training what-so-ever. I think that anyone commuting to work by bike should be required to pass a similar test before they can cycle on any road which has a speed limit above 30mph. As a cyclist and former cycle courier, I have seen too many examples of people who haven't got a clue about the danger they are placing themselves in. I have no doubt that most of them were probably "doored" or hit off not much later as a result of it and probably never got back on a bike again after that realisation. Drivers need to change their habits, but cyclists need to change theirs too. I think the only way to cycle in London is to keep telling yourself that you can have a serious injury or die at any time. I realised that after being "doored and having the top corner of it penetrate my chest. I don't think that these truck drivers will change their ways soon. I think the only way to reduce such tragedies is for cyclists to change.
- Leon Davids, Toyohashi, Japan, 11/01/2010 12:47
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Words aren't enough...
- George, London, 11/01/2010 12:47
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