Holborn cycle death: Woman was dragged under lorry, court hears

A cyclist screamed as she was dragged under a lorry when its driver failed to indicate, a court was told.

Dr Marta Krawiec was cycling to work in central London in August 2021 when she was hit by a Mercedes heavy goods vehicle (HGV) driven by Kevin Allen.

The Old Bailey heard the 41-year-old died after the collision at the junction of Southampton Row and Theobalds Road, near Holborn.

Mr Allen is accused of causing death by dangerous driving, which he denies.

The 69-year-old, of Forest Town, Nottinghamshire, has admitted causing death by careless driving.

Paul Casey, prosecuting, told the jury Mr Allen had been delivering steel to a building site in the capital on a "bright, clear summer morning".

The HGV was stationary at a red light in the middle of three lanes at a junction, with Dr Krawiec, wearing bright clothes, behind.

When the lights turned green, she pulled up alongside Mr Allen, who only then began indicating left before turning and clipping the back wheel of Dr Krawiec's bicycle.

The doctor screamed and was dragged under the lorry's wheels, the jury was told.

Mr Allen passed an eyesight test and was negative for drink and drugs.

He accepted in a police interview that he had not indicated when he was in the centre lane, and said he had checked his mirrors but had not seen the cyclist.

Mr Casey told the court Mr Allen's failure to indicate "fell far below the standard of a competent and careful driver" and had "catastrophic consequences".

Judge Sarah Munro KC disqualified Mr Allen from driving in March last year. The interim disqualification order will be reviewed at the end of the trial, which continues.

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