Bike Accident

The family of a cyclist who was dragged under the wheels of a skip lorry when it turned across his path at traffic lights was today awarded £337,500 High Court damages.

Set builder Ninian Donald, 34, was killed instantly in the tragedy at the junction of Kingsland Road and Whiston Road, in Hackney, east London, in May 2007.

Mr Donald, of Graham Road, Hackney, left behind his partner, Kate Evenden, a 46-year-old TV and film art director, and a daughter, Rosie, who will be five in September.

Their counsel, Simon Michael, told Judge Simon Brown QC that a settlement had been agreed on the basis that the insurers of lorry driver Bernard Madden were 75% liable for the accident.

He said that Mr Madden had not adjusted his mirrors properly and had not made double sure that it was safe to turn left across the inside lane at the junction.

Mr Donald was judged to be 25% to blame as he moved on to the pavement out of the cycle and bus lane to avoid a stationary bus and rejoined the road in such a way that he could not see the lorry's indicators.

The judge, sitting in London, approved the settlement.

Copyright © Press Association 2010

Asha Vekaria from law firm Irwin Mitchell said: "We are too often contacted by people whose lives have been turned upside down by road traffic crashes and this case is a particularly devastating example.

"Tragically, Mr Donald did not survive and no amount of money will ever make up for the loss of a partner and father. Our thoughts are with his family at this very difficult time."