Horror outside primary school gates as cyclist crushed to death by lorry

The victim, aged 32, who had been riding a mountain bike past Broughton Primary School, died at the scene.

The accident happened at about 7:50am at the junction of Broughton Street and East Claremont Street, just yards from the school gates. The victim's mangled bicycle and rucksack were seen lying in the road.

Police closed off the area and diverted traffic until midday to investigate. Officers said the truck driver stopped at the scene and was helping with inquiries.

Last night local residents and a cycling campaign group voiced concerns that recent work to extend the pavement outside the school and a nearby roadworks diversion could have contributed to the tragedy.

It is understood a 13-year-old child who saw the accident called the emergency services.

Inspector Steven Boyle said: "We received a number of phone calls alerting us. One was from a young female who is now in the care of her parents. There were young witnesses who may have been traumatised. Resources will be put in place.

"We are appealing to any road users who were in the area at the time who may be able to help us establish the movements of vehicles and the cyclist. The truck turned left, was the cyclist intending to as well?

"It would have been busy at the time, with families dropping children off at school and people heading to work, so it's vital anyone with any information comes forward."

David Lyon, the council's head of environment, said: "We would like to extend our sincere condolences to the man's family at this very sad time.

"The council is working closely with the police and an immediate, thorough investigation is currently being carried out into this tragic incident."

Victoria Lamb, 39, whose daughter is a pupil at the school, said: "I'm just so taken aback, it's just so sad that this has happened. When I got here at about half past nine I saw the man's bike, which was all buckled and was still lying in the road. His rucksack was there, too. The black truck was parked further up East Claremont Street."

She said changes to the width of the road had made it more precarious for cyclists.

"The pavement outside the school was extended about two months ago and it's narrowed the space for anyone, particularly a cyclist, turning into East Claremont Street," she added.

Douglas Henderson, 65, who lives in Broughton Road, said: "The new pavement outside the school juts out too far, meaning the road is now too narrow."Drivers won't always know they have to slow down to get round it safely, compared with the speed and angle they could go before."

He added:? "There would be no way something that size and a bike could get by safely together. The cyclist would also have had to keep away from the kerb to keep the handlebars away from the railings. Edinburgh is forever narrowing roads without thinking of the consequences."

Ian Maxwell, a member of Spokes, which promotes cycling in the Lothians, said: ""Edinburgh has so many roadworks that people have become tolerant of temporary measures which are not always safe.

"Narrowing a road can help slow traffic but can lead to heavy traffic and impatient drivers, increasing the risk to cyclists."

He added: "We raised the issue of diversions causing heavy traffic with the council a few years ago, but traffic flow seemed to be the major consideration.

"We would hope that something as tragic as this accident will lead to changes if these issues have been contributing factors.

"Traffic is dynamic, every time you alter one part of the road system it changes things elsewhere."