Family tell of ‘immense grief’ as crash cyclist is named

The 43-year-old, who died on Thursday, was yesterday identified as Andrew McNicoll.

Mr McNicoll, of Cairns Drive, Balerno, was an enthusiastic road cyclist who was a member of the Edinburgh Road Club (ERC). He was an insurance officer at Balfour Beatty Construction in Ravelston Terrace.

He died after the incident on Lanark Road on Thursday morning, when it is believed he was struck by an overtaking articulated lorry after he collided with a stationary Mazda.

In a statement released on behalf of his family, his father Ian said: “Our grief, as you can imagine, is immense. Andrew was a fit young man with a great future ahead of him with his partner Donna.

“We are extremely proud of our Andrew and his achievements.”

He added that the family was setting up a memorial fund in his name to help make cycling safer in Scotland.

An ERC member who called himself ‘MAC’ posted a message on the club’s online forum yesterday, expressing his grief. He said: “Andrew joined the club recently, having been out on some of the Saturday and Sunday group rides and thoroughly enjoying them. He was a really keen cyclist, having cycled for the entire 12 years or so that I’ve known him.

“I will miss him greatly and my thoughts are with his girlfriend, family and friends.

“RIP Andrew.”

Mr McNicoll had worked at Balfour Beatty Construction since May. He had previously been a technical claims adviser for Marsh and McLennan Companies in Edinburgh for five years. He was educated at Currie High and Nether Currie.

Mr McNicoll is believed to have hit the blue Mazda on Lanark Road, one of the main thoroughfares leading into the city, at around 8am on Thursday.

The driver of the lorry, which did not stop at the scene of the incident, was later traced by police and was questioned by officers.

A Lothian and Borders spokesman said: “The individual who was detained and was assisting us with our investigation has been released without charge pending further inquiries.”

He said the investigation was ongoing and appealed for anyone who witnessed the crash.

Mr McNicoll was cycling down a hill on the north side of Lanark Road when the accident happened close to its junction with Dovecot Grove, in the Colinton area, near Kingsknowe railway station. He was taken to Edinburgh Royal Infirmary but later died of his injuries.

Local councillor Ricky Henderson said yesterday: “It’s a tragic loss of life. My thoughts are with his family and friends.”

Grace Hughes, secretary of the Longstone Community Council, which covers the area, said: “I have every sympathy with his family. It must be a terrible shock.”