Cyclist sues Tesco after losing leg in collision with delivery lorry

A civil legal action has been launched against supermarket giant Tesco on behalf of a cyclist who lost a leg when she was crushed under the wheels of one of its lorries in Central London last October.

The driver, 23-year-old Florin Oprea, yesterday pleaded not guilty at Highbury Corner Magistrates’ Court to charges of causing serious injury by dangerous driving and driving without due care and attention.

The victim, Julie Dinsdale, had been riding her bike on Old Street in the London Borough of Islington with her partner, mountain bike industry pioneer Keith Bontrager, when the incident happened on the afternoon of Sunday 4 October.

The court was told that prompt medical attention saved her life, although her left leg had to be amputated.

Aislinn Rice, prosecuting, said: “The driver had only been in London for four months and had only been driving for Tesco for four days and this was the first day he was unaccompanied.”

Deputy district judge Tim Godfrey has referred the case to Blackfriars Crown Court, where it is due for trial on 25 May, reports the Guardian.

As for the separate civil action, Sally Moore, Head of Personal Injury at law firm Leigh Day, which is acting for Ms Dinsdale, said: “We are currently taking legal action against Tesco to recover compensation for our client.”

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