Solicitor is the Eighth Cyclist to Die at the Same London Junction in 14 Years
Posted: March 7, 2022
Posted in: Bicycle Accidents Road Traffic Accidents Wrongful & Accidental Death
Shatha Ali was killed by a lorry whilst riding her bike near Holborn station on the 1st of March, during the height of the London tube strikes. The 39-year-old, on-hiatus corporate lawyer – with a specialism in derivatives and Islamic finance – was “social cyclist,” with good knowledge of London’s roads.
Ali’s death comes only 6 months after Dr Marta Krawiec, who had been cycling to work at St Thomas’ hospital, was killed in a similar road traffic accident. She had undertaken cycling during the start of the pandemic to reduce the risk to her patients and ease the burden on public transport. She was killed at the same junction as Ali, also by a lorry, which was turning left at the gyratory.
The two lethal cycling accidents in such a short period of time have caused outcry across the capital. London Cycling Campaign, which held a vigil on the 4th of March, were already demanding safety improvements to the junction. LCC Campaign Manager, Simon Munk, said:
“Just months from our last protest at Holborn, following the death of Dr Marta Krawiec, we are forced to return to this area and to junctions known for decades to be lethally dangerous to those walking and cycling, but where year after year nothing is done.”
The latest cyclist death at this lethal junction has put renewed pressure on the office of London’s major to do more to protect bicycle-riders. Transport for London had plans to introduce safety improvements to the junction that has claimed too many lives, but they were postponed after TFL ran out of funds. The junction is one of London’s busiest commuting corridors for cyclists.
What’s equally infuriating, is how in 2019, Oslo reduced all pedestrian and cyclist deaths to zero in the entire city. The powers-at-be in Norway saw the value in eliminating vulnerable road user deaths in their city and took steps to combat it, showing that it can be done. Other countries are taking similar action. London is an already congested place, and despite world-class public transport, more needs to be done to protect all road users, especially from HGV’s and lorries.
Shatha Ali was described by her father, Hasan Ali, as “extremely generous and contributed to many, many charities. She was everybody’s ‘go to’ person. We always depended on her.”
Have you been injured as a cyclist in London?
If you were injured as a cyclist in London, and the accident wasn’t your fault, you could be eligible for a large compensation pay-out for your personal injuries. Contact our expert legal team to discuss your accident claim, and how much you could expect to receive in damages. What’s more, we offer our services on a no win, no fee* basis, leaving you at far reduced financial risk for pursuing justice. Call now on 02038115808^ and get the compensation you deserve.
« Oslo’s Pedestrian and Cyclist Deaths Brought to Zero in 2019 as it Moves to Reduce Cars in the City
