Witness appeal after 32 year old Esther Hartsilver killed in Camberwell lorry collision

Police have appealed for witnesses to a collision involving a cyclist and a lorry at the junction of Denmark Hill and Orpheus Street in Camberwell, south London. The cyclist, Esther Hartsilver, 32, died at hospital later that evening.

The incident took place at 7.58am on Thursday May 28 with the cyclist, senior physiotherapist, taken by London Ambulance Service to Kings College hospital, where she worked. The driver remained at the scene and there have been no arrests.

All six fatal cycling fatalities in London in 2015 have involved lorries. The vehicle involved on this occasion belonged to The Co-operative Food. A spokesman for the firm told the London Evening Standard: “We are co-operating with the police who are investigating the incident. Our thoughts and concerns are with the cyclist and her family and friends.”

Rosie Downes, Campaigns Manager at London Cycling Campaign, told road.cc: “We are devastated to hear that yet another life has been lost on our streets. All six cyclist fatalities on London’s roads in 2015 have involved heavy goods vehicles. 

"It is unacceptable that drivers of the largest, and most dangerous, vehicles on the road have severely restricted vision by their vehicle design. New ‘direct vision’ cabs, which give the driver a direct view of cyclists and pedestrians in close proximity to their vehicle, are now available. Their widespread adoption is essential, together with restrictions on lorry movements, prioritising safe passage for people on foot or bike during roadworks, and the redesign of our streets to create safe and inviting space for cycling.

No cyclist should be threatened with the risk of death or serious injury from unsafe lorries. Our vision is to ensure these lorries are removed from our streets.”

Anyone who has information can contact the Serious Collision Investigation Unit at Catford on 020 8285 1574.