Cyclist killed in collision with tipper truck in London this morning

A female cyclist has died following a collision with a tipper truck near Lambeth Bridge in  central London this morning.

A spokesman for the Metropolitan Police said: "Police were called by the London Ambulance Service at 09:33hrs on Thursday, 9 April to Millbank at the junction with Horseferry Road following reports of a lorry in collision with a cyclist.

"Officers and London's Air Ambulance attended.

"The cyclist, a 55-year-old woman, was pronounced dead at the scene at 10:03hrs."

The force later added: "The 40-year-old driver of the tipper lorry stopped at the scene. He was not arrested.

"Officers believe they know the identity of the woman, but await formal identification. Next of kin have not yet been informed. A post-mortem examination will be held in due course."

A witness told the Evening Standard: "The front wheel of the bike was completely squashed under the front wheels of the lorry. The bike was on the lorry's left."

Another said: "The lorry was stopped on the roundabout at the junction of the bridge and Millbank, and the bike was under the front left wheel. The front wheel was trapped under the lorry".

Other witnesses reported from the scene on Twitter.

Matt Barbett tweeted: "I'm looking at a bike under the wheels of a dump truck on Millbank. Another cycling casualty. Unacceptable. The authorities need to step up."

Coral De Ville said: "I can see the police, ambulance and the horrible tent over the body from my office. It's so horribly sad."

The as-yet-unnamed rider is the fifth cyclist to die on London's streets this year. Heavy goods vehicles have been involved in all five deaths.

Cycling advocacy group Stop Killing Cyclists is organising a vigil and die-in at the site on Monday April 20. The protest will meet at 6pm for 6.30pm on Lambeth Bridge.

Stop Killing Cyclists co-founder Donnachadh McCarthy called for the resignation of Martin Low, City Commissioner of Transportation at Westminster City Council, the borough in which the junction is located.

McCarthy said: "[Transport for London] proposed some very modest and not even adequate safety improvements to this awful roundabout junction in October 2012.

"Westminster City Council opposed even these safety improvements."

Following consultation on the proposed changes, Transport for London said: "Having considered responses to consultation, and following concerns voiced by Westminster City Council, we have decided not to proceed with these planned initial improvements at Lambeth Bridge northern roundabout."

McCarthy said: "What is actually needed is the total abolition of the roundabout, replacement with a traditional traffic light junction and the installation of protected left hand turns on each corner to ensure safety of pedestrians and cyclists.

"Martin Low should immediately resign in my opinion."

Update: police appeal

Police are appealing for witnesses to this collision.

Anyone who witnessed the collision is asked to contact the Serious Collision Investigation Unit at Catford on 020 8285 1574.