INVESTIGATIONS are continuing after the death of a cyclist in a horror crash in the centre of Southampton.

Shoppers and students at Southampton Solent University heard the collision and saw a badly-buckled bicycle wedged under the front of a lorry.

The cyclist – a man in his 60s – was given emergency first aid as he lay under the vehicle following the crash.

The rider was then taken with life-threatening injuries to Southampton General Hospital but later died.

Several people had rushed to his aid but one passer-by who witnessed their attempts to help him said: “He wasn’t talking or reacting.”

The incident happened at a set of traffic lights outside the university, which overlooks the junction of East Park Terrace and New Road.

Police sealed off the scene of the crash and implemented a series of road closures, resulting in major congestion that lasted several hours.

East Park Terrace was closed in both directions between New Road and the Jury’s Inn roundabout. A section of New Road between Above Bar Street and East Park Terrace was also shut.

Students emerged from the university to find four police cars, two police vans and an ambulance car parked in the street.

As motorists were urged to avoid the area police vehicle examiners inspected the lorry and other officers took photographs of the crash scene.

One man who asked not to be named said: “I saw a bike all buckled up under the front of the lorry and knew it had to be something serious. Someone must have seen something – there would have been students walking up and down the road at the time.”

Another passer-by said he saw someone giving the cyclist cardiopulmonary resuscitation (CPR) in a bid to save his life.

It comes just days after a 61-year-old mother and grandmother died after being hit by a lorry in Bridge Road, Southampton.

As reported by the Daily Echo, Enid Everill was badly injured in the crash in Woolston last Friday and died shortly after being taken to hospital.

A woman sitting outside a nearby cafe spoke of her concern for the cyclist and the man who was driving the lorry. She said: “It’s another horrific day. The Bridge Road accident was near me and that was bad enough.”

South Central Ambulance Service said an ambulance, a rapid response team, an ambulance officer and a hazard response team were sent to the scene following the crash, which happened just before 2pm.

The lorry belongs to the J Webb plant hire firm, a family-run company based in East Sussex. Last night staff declined to comment.

Traffic was being urged to avoid the area as road closures remained in place during last night’s rush hour.

  • Police said anyone who saw the collision should contact the Serious Collision Investigation Unit on 101, quoting Operation Occur, or call Crimestoppers on 0800 555 111.