West Yorkshire Police are appealing for witnesses after a cyclist was killed and a driver seriously injured in a road traffic incident last night on Kirkstall Road nearby the Cardigan Fields retail park. The 33-year-old male cyclist was pronounced dead at the scene by paramedics shortly after the collision. The roads are still gridlocked as police attempt to clear the scene.
The 22-year-old male driver of the silver Volkswagen Golf sustained serious injuries in the crash and has been taken to the intensive care unit at Leeds General Infirmary, where he is believed to be in a stable condition. The Golf was overturned in the incident, coming to rest on its roof and damaging multiple shopfronts.
The death of the 33-year-old male cyclist has prompted members of the public to express their sadness and to highlight the problem of cyclist safety on the roads of Leeds. One user said that they saw “many situations” which could have been fatal incidents, while another went even further and condemned the “lawless roads”, saying that the police needed to “get a grip”.
Senior Investigating Officer Detective Chief Inspector Stuart Spencer said: “This is clearly a very serious incident that has resulted in a man’s death and we are carrying out extensive enquiries to establish the full circumstances.
“A scene is currently in place in Kirkstall Road and will be undergoing detailed forensic examination throughout the day. Work is also ongoing to make safe the shop premises that were damaged. We expect the scene to remain in place for some considerable time.”
Two other men, aged 23 and 36 and travelling in a Volkswagen Passat, have been arrested on suspicion of dangerous driving and are being held in custody.
Police are now appealing for witnesses, and encourage anyone with information to contact the police via 101, quoting log number 1843 of November 14. “We are still keen to hear from anyone who witnessed the incident or who saw the movements of either the two cars or the cyclist in the time leading up to the collision.”
DCI Spencer also warned that “there will be significant disruption to traffic in the area. Diversions are in place and we would advise people to seek alternative routes and avoid the area as much as possible.”
Sarah Berry and Euan Hammond
(Image: The Guardian)