A cyclist killed this morning at Victoria was riding a Boris Bike, the Evening Standard can reveal.

The woman, in her 30s, was found dead at the junction of Victoria Street and Bressenden Place soon before 8am, the Metropolitan Police said.

She is the second user of the Mayor's bike hire scheme to be killed cycling in London since its launch in the summer of 2010.

Witnesses told of the tragedy after seeing the crash earlier today.

Big Issue seller Carnel Jarca, who was stood opposite the crash when it happened, said: "I just heard this big sound, a crash, the sound of crushed metal.

"The truck stopped straight away and I could hear someone shouting to the driver."

Maintenance engineer Des Dacosta, who approached the scene shortly after the accident, said: "I could see the bike all mangled under the wheels.

"I didn't want to look at the cyclist because I could tell it was a really serious accident.

"I work around here a lot and it's a very busy junction, all day and all night, it is relentless. It's just tragic, another cyclist killed in London."

A greengrocer, who has his stall on the street but did not want to be named, said he saw the traumatised lorry driver clutching his head in his hands.

"He had his head in his hands and he just sat down on the floor. He looked very emotional," he said.

Today's fatality is the fourth cyclist death in London in 2015. All have involved HGVs and three of the victims have been women.

The lorry involved today belonged to haulage contractor Gordon - the same firm whose HGV was involved in the death of hospital porter Brian Holt in Mile End Road in 2013.

Gordon's boss Arran Gordon told the Standard: "We are sorry for the family's loss. the driver is devastated."

The Met said in a statement: "Officers, the London Ambulance Service and London Fire Brigade attended and found an unresponsive woman in her 30s. She was pronounced dead at the scene.

"Next of kin are in the process of being informed and a post-mortem will be scheduled in due course.

"The incident is being investigated by the Serious Collision Investigation Unit based at Merton Traffic Garage.

"The driver stopped at scene and no arrests have been made.

Looks like a horrid accident on Victoria Street. Puts my day in perspective — Sue G (@suzi187) February 19, 2015

Horrible scene outside Victoria station this morning as cyclist hit by HGV. — David Talbot (@_DaveTalbot) February 19, 2015

"The collision took place during rush hour traffic and there were a number of people within the area."

It is understood that the vehicle involved at Victoria was fitted with cameras and that video evidence of the collision will be available to police.

There was a suggestion that the cyclist may have been on the phone at the time of the collision. The Met police was unable to confirm or deny this.

Leon Daniels, TfL’s Managing Director of Surface Transport, said: "We are deeply saddened that a female cyclist using a Barclays Cycle Hire bike has lost their life after a collision with an HGV at the junction of Victoria Street and Bressenden Place this morning.

"We will assist in a full investigation by the police into the incident and our sympathies are with the family and friends."

Councillor Heather Acton, Westminster City Council cabinet member for sustainability and parking, said: “We were deeply shocked to hear about the fatal collision involving a female cyclist near Victoria Station this morning. Our thoughts are with the cyclist’s family and friends and we shall be supporting the police in their investigation.”

Today the prosecution of driver Anthony Howsego for causing the death by careless driving of Mr Holt, 62, was adjourned funtil June 16 at Wood Green Crown Court to allow further expert evidence to be gathered.

French student Philippine De Gerin-Ricard, 20, was also killed in collision with a HGV while riding a Boris Bike. She was hit by a lorry at Whitechapel in July 2013 after riding on and off the CS2 cycle superhighway. A coroner later ruled that her death was an accident.

Anyone who witnessed the collision or has any information is asked to call the Serious Collision Investigation Unit on 0208 543 5157 or Crimestoppers anonymously on 0800 555 111.