Police appeal after cyclist killed in Southampton - the second fatality there in a week

Police in Southampton have launched an appeal for witnesses after a cyclist lost his life following a collision involving a Ford Focus in the city last week.

The Daily Echo reports that the victim has been named locally as Richard Gardner, aged 32.

In a witness appeal published on its website, Hampshire Constabulary said that the fatal crash happened shortly after midnight on Friday 22 December on Brownhill Way.

The cyclist was taken to Southampton General Hospital but died from his injuries later that day.

The driver involved, a 26-year-old man from the New Forest, was arrested and has been released without charge, although he remains under investigation.

PC Lucy Hawkins said: “We know that this happened in the early hours of this morning, but if you were out and about in the area you may have seen something that could help our investigation.

“Did you see what happened or did you see either a male cyclist or a black Ford Focus travelling around that area of Southampton?”

Anyone who has information is requested to call police on 101, quoting 44170494844, or Crimestoppers anonymously on 0800 555 111.

Earlier in the week, on Monday 18 December, another cyclist in Southampton was killed in a collision involving a lorry on Portsmouth Road.

That incident prompted Royston Smith, the Conservative MP for Southampton Itchen, to call for people on bikes to be required to use cycle lanes.

> MP who opposes cycle lanes says cyclists should be forced to ride in ... cycle lanes