Tributes to medic killed on her bike
FAMILY AND FRIENDS PAY TRIBUTE TO TWO WOMEN CYCLISTS WHO DIED ON DAY OF ROAD CARNAGE
A CYCLIST killed by a lorry in a day of carnage on London’s streets was today described as an “incredible woman” by friends and colleagues.
Speciali st physiotherapi st Esther Hartsilver, 32, died hours after being injured in Camberwell during morning rush hour on Thursday.
She was hit by a delivery lorry yards from King’s College hospital, where she worked, and was one of three cyclists knocked down in London in the space of 24 hours.
Yvonne Wyeth, 55, suffered fat al injuries when she was flung from her bicycle after a collision with a van, tanker and car in Hersham, Surrey, while a 55-year-old unicyclist was today still in hospital in a “serious but stable” condition after being crushed under a bus in Walthamstow, where 60 people lifted it to free him.
Friends and family paid tribute to Miss Hartsilver as they revealed plans to hold a memorial event in her honour.
Friend Haylee Palmer, 33, said: “It came as a massive shock to everyone. It’s an absolute tragedy. She was a beautiful and talented person. Esther was the light and soul of the party. She put 100 per cent into everything and took everything she could from life.”
Her brother and two sisters were said to be “devastated” by her death, which follows the recent death of their parents. Her sister Jessica travelled to London from her home in Australia after hearing the news.
A family friend said: “They are very close, so it is hard for them to take. She was such a wonderful person. So much fun. She loved her work and being an athlete.”
Miss Hartsilver, a Manchester University graduate who lived in Islington, had been an expert pelvic health specialist at King’s for almost a year and had worked at Guy’s and St Thomas’ hospital, Chelsea and Westminster hospital and The Portland hospital. She grew up Oxted, Surrey, and went to Tonbridge Grammar school before following her dream of working for the NHS.
A keen baker, she regularly cycled to work and was a member of several fitness clubs, including Project Awesome, which is holding a memorial event for her on Thursday, involving an 8.5km run to her favourite music along her training route.
In a statement, it said: “Our community is deeply saddened by the loss of an incredible woman with the most gorgeous smile and infectious laugh.” A spokesman for King’s College hospital NHS Foundation Trust said: “We have lost a dear and respected colleague. The thoughts of everyone at King’s are with Esther’s family.”
Miss Hartsilver is the sixth cyclist to die on London’s roads this year, all of whom were fatally injured in collisions involving lorries. Five of them were women.
Mrs Wyeth’s brother-in-law Mark Sherren, 51, said her children Craig, 26, and Gemma, 23, were struggling to come to terms with the tragedy.
He said: “We are all just so upset — we want answers as to how this could have happened. It is a dangerous stretch of road, but she knew what she was doing being such an experienced cyclist.
“She was just a wonderful family woman who doted on her granddaughter. She loved family and was always there for everyone. This has all come as a total shock.”
The accident happened on Molesey Road at 6.40am on Thursday. The van driver, 34, from Walton-on-Thames, was taken to hospital after being trapped in the accident and was later arrested on suspicion of causing death by dangerous driving and driving without insurance.