Cyclist Moira Gemmill killed by 'preoccupied' lorry driver Published duration 20 February 2017

image copyright PA image caption Moira Gemmill was on her way to her new job as director of capital programmes at the Royal Collection Trust

An art designer was crushed to death by a "preoccupied" lorry driver as she cycled to work in London, the Old Bailey has heard.

Moira Gemmill, 55, was struck by tipper truck driver James Kwatia on a roundabout near Lambeth Bridge, Westminster, on 9 April 2015.

Off-duty police and paramedics tried to save her, but she died at the scene.

Mr Kwatia, from Catford, south-east London, denies causing death by careless driving.

Ms Gemmill was on her way to St James's Palace, where she had recently started a new job as director of capital programmes at the Royal Collection Trust.

image copyright PA image caption James Kwatia denies causing death by careless driving

Prosecutor Mark Gadsden said Mr Kwatia, 43, failed to use his mirrors properly and paid insufficient attention to cyclists as he reached the end of the bridge.

He told the court Mr Kwatia had positioned his lorry towards the centre of two lanes on the bridge, but as he approached the roundabout he pulled across to his left, leaving no room for Ms Gemmill as she passed by on his near side.

The jury heard Mr Kwatia had been too preoccupied with traffic on the roundabout to see her, running over her as he accelerated away.

The court was told Mr Kwatia would have been able to see Ms Gemmill in his mirrors for around eight seconds as he crossed the bridge.

Mr Gadsden said he should have been aware of her presence and continued to straddle the two lanes to give her room.

The trial continues.

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