Police collide with cyclist at ‘deadly’ junction of Southgate Road and Northchurch Road
Published: 26 March, 2010
by CHARLOTTE CHAMBERS
THE roundabout where a police car collided with a cyclist on Wednesday has been described as “deadly” by locals who say they see a dozen near misses there a night.
The 59-year-old man is said to be in a stable condition last night (Thursday) although his injuries were initially described as life-threatening.
The accident happened on the junction of Southgate Road and Northchurch Road at around 9pm on Wednesday at a notorious mini-roundabout with a cycle lane through the middle.
The cyclist “flew” through the air after he was hit by the police car, a shopkeeper said, and was left lying on the ground.
Witnesses said a local doctor, who lives on the corner of the junction, rushed out to help, but the two policemen were already giving the cyclist first aid.
The police had been on their way to a shooting in Hackney when the incident happened.
Locals said that cars rarely give right of way to cyclists and angry exchanges were commonplace.
James Leong, who lives in Southgate Road, said: “There are a dozen near misses every night. You sit in the pub garden during rush hour and [hear] cyclists shouting at cars and cars tooting.”
He added: “They’ve created a cycle route but this crossing is deadly for cyclists.”
Gordon Webb, who also lives near the junction, heard the collision.
He said: “I heard a very loud bang and then I came down and saw the chap lying on the ground. The police were around him, the cyclist was lying on the ground by the pedestrian crossing and the police car was parked by the other side of the road.”
The incident has been reported to the police complaints department, the Directorate of Professional Standards, a spokesman said.