A female cyclist who was crushed to death by a tipper truck outside the Bank Of England yesterday has been named as Oxbridge graduate Ying Tao, 26.
Mrs Tao, a strategy consultant for global consultancy firm Price Waterhouse Coopers, was killed in a collision whilst cycling to work yesterday morning.
Her death is the eighth cycling fatality in London this year and the seventh involving a lorry.
This afternoon the London Cycling Campaign announced it will stage a flash protest during tomorrow’s rush hour at Bank Junction.
Mrs Tao was struck by an eight-wheel tipper truck at the ‘hectic’ seven-way Bank junction in the City of London during shortly before 9am.
The truck driver stopped at the scene but was not arrested. City of London Police are investigating the incident.
One witness, who works nearby, described hearing a ‘crunch’ followed by onlookers’ screams as the truck struck the woman.
Today her family laid flowers at the junction, including a picture of her on her recent wedding day.
Her grieving husband Jin said: ‘She was the perfect wife and perfect in every way. She was smart as well as beautiful.’
Her friend, Claire Zhao, said: ‘I am having a baby and she was going to be godmother.
Speaking on behalf of PwC, Neil Hampson, a partner at the firm, said: ‘We are shocked by this tragic news.
‘Ying was a bright and popular colleague with a promising career in front of her. She excelled at everything she did, with a passion for life, for work and for the friendships she made.
‘It is a tragedy that a wonderful young woman should lose her life at such an age.
‘Our thoughts go out to Ying’s family and friends and we will do anything we can to help her family at this very sad and difficult time.’
A statement on the LCC’s site said: ‘In response to the recent cycling fatalities in Harrow and at Bank, LCC is planning a flash protest at Bank on Wednesday June 24.
‘We will be gathering to remember the victim and highlight the need for safe space for cycling; not just at this location, but across London.
‘The protest will be held at Bank junction between 8.30-8.45am
‘More must be done to create high quality space for cycling across London, to enable people of all ages and abilities to ride safely in our city.
‘This includes making lorries safer.’
Charlie Lloyd, from the LCC, visited the scene of the accident yesterday.
He said: ‘In most European cities, crowded and historic roads like this one would only allow public transport.
‘We don’t think there should be any motor vehicles here, it’s a very busy crossroads in the centre of town.
‘They should quite clearly not be allowed to drive on these kinds of vehicles on busy roads such as this one.’
