A woman cyclist has died following a collision in the city centre. It’s understood she overbalanced when her cycle wheel became stuck in tram tracks and she fell into the path of an oncoming tour bus.
The 24-year-old was cycling at the West End of Princes Street at around 8.30am yesterday when she came off her bike at the junction with Lothian Road, before being involved in a collision with the Rabbie’s Tours mini-bus. The woman, who has not yet been named, sustained serious injuries and was taken to the Royal Infirmary of Edinburgh where she later passed away.
Roads at the busy junction were closed for several hours and diversions put in place while Road Policing Officers carried out investigations at the scene.
Anyone with information is asked to come forward.
Sergeant Fraser Wood from the Road Policing Unit in Edinburgh said: “Sadly, as a result of this collision, the young woman sustained injuries that she could not recover from. Our sympathies are with her family and friends at this time.
“As part of our ongoing investigation we remain keen to speak to members of the public who witnessed this incident, or who have information that can assist us in establishing the full circumstances of what happened.”
Those with information can contact the Road Policing Unit in Edinburgh via 101 and quote incident number 643 of the 31st May.
Alison Johnstone, Scottish Green MSP for Lothian, used First Minister’s Questions to raise concerns about safe cycling infrastructure following yesterday’s fatal accident in Edinburgh in which a twenty-four year old woman came off her bike on tram tracks and was hit by a minibus.
Cycling campaigners have claimed that the number of accidents on tram tracks in the Capital is higher than in other UK cities.
Alison Johnstone, co-convener of Holyrood’s cross-party group on cycling, said: “Our deepest sympathies go out to the family and friends of the young woman who died. While an investigation is underway into the circumstances, it is terrible that it often takes such shocking events to prompt a rethink of how we plan our infrastructure.
“Cycling should be a safe way of getting about our towns and cities for everyday activities. I’m pleased that the First Minister agreed to my request that the Transport Minister meets with campaign groups to discuss what can be done to prevent any further injuries or loss of life.”
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