Lorry driver due in court over death of cyclist Esther Hartsilver by King's College Hospital

Hit by truck: Cyclist Esther Hartsilver
Met Police
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A lorry driver accused of mowing down and killing a cyclist just yards from the hospital where she worked is due in court this morning.

Esther Hartsilver, 32, was fatally injured in a crash with a Co-Op food articulated lorry near to King's College Hospital in rush hour traffic.

The Manchester University graduate, who lived in Islington, was on her way to work at the hospital where she was a specialist physiotherapist.

Ms Hartsilver specialised in pelvic health treatment and had previous worked at Guys and St Thomas' hospital, Chelsea and Westminster hospital, and The Portland Hospital.

Lorry driver Philip Beadle is due at Camberwell Green Magistrates Court this morning for a preliminary hearing.

He is accused of causing death by careless or inconsiderate driving in the crash, which happened just before 8am on May 28 last year.

Killed in crash: Physiotherapist Esther Hartsilver

Beadle, 47, from Colchester in Essex, is accused of driving "without due care or attention" in Denmark Hill when he hit Ms Hartsilver.

Her death was the focus of a "die in" vigil by cycle campaigners at the scene of the crash in the weeks after she died.

In the wake of her death, colleagues and friends paid tribute to her dedication to fitness, regularly cycling to work and being a member of the Project Awesome fitness club based near London Bridge.

Her friend Haylee Palmer told the Standard: "Esther was the light and soul of the party.

"She was just a really good person. She had a way of walking into a room and lighting it up with her smile.

"She was a person who could make you feel so good about yourself and made everyone feel happy.

"She put 100 per cent into everything and took everything she could from life. Her family meant everything to her and they were incredible close. She loved spending time with her friends."

In tribute to Ms Hartsilver, her fellow sports enthusiast at Project Awesome organised an 8.5km run through London set to some of her favourite music.

Beadle has not yet entered a plea to the charge.

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