Cyclist who died in Commercial Road was dragged 62ft by truck
A ghost bike which was left as a tribute to Sumbal Javed, who was crushed under a lorry in December 2012. - Credit: Archant
A cyclist was dragged 62 feet under the wheels of a truck as he was crushed to death last year, an inquest heard.
Sumbal Javed misjudged an attempt to ride across Commercial Road in Stepney, colliding with a huge lorry after losing control of his bike.
The 34-year-old, who worked as a sandwich courier for Darwin’s Deli in Barnardo Street, Shadwell, died at the scene at rush hour on December 6 last year.
An inquest at Poplar Coroner’s Court heard he would have been dragged for more than 60ft after the initial impact.
Dutch lorry driver Leendert Spierings, who was driving the truck, broke down in tears as first aider Andrew Knowles told the inquest how he tried to assist Mr Javed.
“I went underneath to get to the cyclist,” said Mr Knowles. “His chest was crushed and he had no pulse. I realised I was unable to perform CPR. I asked the driver to put a blanket over him.”
Assistant coroner Selena Lynch delivered a narrative verdict, saying the collision was down to a miscalculation of the time available to cross the road.
