Update: Teen killed at cycle blackspot is named (From This Is Local London)

Update: Teen killed at cycle blackspot is named

2:20pm Wednesday 22nd October 2008 in Where I Live By Jamie Henderson

A 16-year-old cyclist who died after being hit by an articulated lorry has been named as Syed Mohammed Sajjad Bilgrami.

Syed, of Abercairn Road, Streatham Vale, collided with the lorry in Tooting High Street at the junction with Blackshaw Road, just after 8.30am on Monday.

He was treated at the scene and taken to nearby St George's Hospital where doctors worked for a number of hours to save him. But he later died of his injuries.

According to police, Syed and the articulated lorry were both travelling south along Tooting High Street and had stopped at the traffic lights, at the junction with Blackshaw Road, immediately before the collision.

It is thought the accident happened once the lights had changed and the vehicles had started to pull away.

However it is not known whether either vehicle was attempting to make a turn.

One commuter from Epsom said: “It is a tragedy. I was held at the lights going northbound just after the first paramedic arrived. I shall not forget what I saw. Suffice to say they did everything possible for him. I will say a prayer for his family and friends.”

Chandra Modi, manager of Barron’s Chemist's opposite the crash scene, said there were accidents on the road every few months.

He said: "A few years ago another cyclist was killed at the same junction. Every two or three months something or other happens, it is very dangerous and we often see vehicles of all types, including bicycles, jumping the red lights there.

“There were police and paramedics everywhere. The whole place was closed off until after lunchtime."

The London Cycling Campaign said they had written to the Mayor of London urging action to educate all cyclists and HGV drivers about the increasing number of dangers on our roads and to ensure that every lorry in London has a full set of the latest safety mirrors.

Syed's death takes the number of cyclists killed on London’s roads in 2008 to nine, and according to bike courier website Moving Target, eight have been killed by lorries.

Scotland Yard said the driver of the lorry had stopped at the scene and no arrests had been made.

Anyone who saw the incident should call the Met Police’s collision investigation unit on 020 8941 9011.

• Did you know the victim? Call the newsdesk on 020 8330 9535.