Plea for witnesses as cyclist killed near school is named

A CYCLIST who died when his bike was in a collision with a lorry near a school has been identified.

Craig Newton, 32, was riding in Broughton Road, Edinburgh, near the junction with East Claremont Street, at 7:50am on Thursday when the accident happened.

Lothian and Borders Police said they were still investigating and appealed for witnesses.

In particular, officers are keen to talk to a cyclist wearing a yellow tabard who was seen near Mr Newton shortly before the collision.

Mr Newton, from Musselburgh, died at the scene.

Inspector Steven Boyle, of Lothian and Borders Police, said: "We are currently working to establish exactly what happened, so would appeal for anyone who was in the area at the time to come forward.

"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."

The incident happened at the start of the rush hour. Mr Newton's bike collided with an Edinburgh city council bin lorry near Broughton Primary School.

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.