Filippo Corsini: Activists hold 'die-in' protest at City Hall after death of Italian prince in Knightsbridge

Die-in: Protesters lay on the ground outside City Hall
Caspar Hughes
Fiona Simpson7 November 2016

Scores of cyclists gathered for a “die-in” at City Hall after the death of an Italian prince who was hit by a truck in west London.

Campaigners staged the vigil outside the Mayor of London’s office on Monday in a bid to urge Sadiq Khan to work to stop cyclists dying on the capital’s roads.

Campaign group Stop Killing Cyclists organised the huge gathering following the death of Filippo Corsini, heir to a Florentine noble family, near Knightsbridge Tube station last Monday.

Cyclists and road safety campaigners met at the building on the Southbank at 5.30pm on Monday.

Eighth victim: Filippo Corsini, heir to a Florentine noble family, was today named as the cyclist killed in Knightsbridge

The 21-year-old student was reportedly dragged under the wheels of an HGV outside luxury department store Harvey Nichols near the exclusive One Hyde Park development.

He had been cycling to class at Regent’s University London, where he was studying for a BA in International Business.

Serious campaign: Protesters gathered at the Mayor of London's office
Twitter/Tom Kearney

Mr Corsini was the eighth cyclist to die on London’s roads this year.

His death came just a week after that of fellow Italian, waitress Lucia Ciccioli, was killed on Monday, October 24 in a rush hour crash with a lorry.

Tragic death: Lucia Ciccioli, 32, from Italy was killed while cycling to work in Battersea
Facebook

His housemate Gucci Ludolf, a member of the Gucci fashion house dynasty, said in a tribute: “You are unique, I never knew a person so full of energy, always smiling and ready to make others laugh.

“Without you the house is empty. You died in a second and you were gone. It happened so fast that I didn’t want to believe it in front of the police officer.

“We were together for so much time and despite all our fights I am laughing with a sadness that will never end.

'Die-in' protest: Cyclists have held staged the demo at City Hall
Twitter/Tom Kearney

“You are the friend that was always able to make me laugh with your generosity and kindness. I will miss you so much.”

A 42-year-old lorry driver stopped at the scene and arrested on suspicion of death by careless driving.

He has been bailed pending further enquiries to a date in early December.

A spokesman for Sadiq Khan said: "Sadiq has been clear that he will be the most pro-cycling Mayor yet.

"He’s already given his support to progressing with major cycling schemes, including Cycle Superhighway 11 and the new North-South Cycle Superhighway, and announced world-first proposals to completely ban the most dangerous HGVs from London’s roads by 2020.

Giving support: Cyclists have urged Sadiq Khan to help prevent death on the roads 
Alex Lentati

“Our ground-breaking direct vision standard is a much bolder proposal than anything previously planned, and we are working closely with developers and councils to encourage faster adoption.

"By setting out our plans now, we expect many lorries will be upgraded well before the ban is introduced to remove the remaining minority.

“We will also soon be publishing a business plan that will set out the Mayor’s commitment to increase spending on cycling and will appoint a Walking and Cycling Commissioner to play an integral role in ensuring cycling is made easier and safer for all."

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