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Family of cyclist killed in Edinburgh tram track crash win compensation

Zhi Min Soh was run over by tour bus driver after coming off her bike on Princes Street in 2017

The family of a medical student who was killed when she was run over by a tour bus driver after the wheel of her bike was believed to have become trapped in a tram track in Edinburgh will receive compensation through a settlement with the company’s insurers.

Zhi Min Soh, aged 23, was killed close to the junction of Princes Street and Lothian Road on 31 May 2017 when the driver of the 16-seat minibus operated by Rabbie’s Tours failed to stop, dragging her under the bus.

No criminal charges were brought, but the Malaysian student's family initiated civil proceedings to try and ascertained what had happened.

Although the fatal crash happened close to one of Edinburgh’s busiest junctions, there were no witnesses to it and no CCTV footage was available, nor was there any conclusive physical evidence of what had caused Zhi Min to fall from her bike.

A Road Policing Investigation Report found that while the driver of the minibus was within the 20mph speed limit and was aware of the cyclist’s presence, he had been closing in on her, and was therefore unable to take evasive action when she fell.

The tour operator’s insurers denied liability, but later agreed to compensate the victim’s family for their grief and sorrow, and while there was no formal admission of liability that dd serve as acknowledgement that there had been negligence on the driver’s part.

The family were represented by specialist solicitors, Cycle Law Scotland. Jodi Gordon, a partner at the law firm, said: “It is important that we learn lessons from this tragic case. There is no doubt that crossing tramlines poses a hazard to cyclists as do potholes, drain covers and a host of other road surface defects.

“It is so important to give cyclists room and not just when passing. Drivers must leave room in front to allow a cyclist to cope with a potential hazard safely, as after all, when driving behind a cyclist, remember that you are in control of a potential lethal weapon, capable of causing great harm.

 “Whatever caused Zhi Min to fall from her bicycle on the 31st May 2017 may never be known but had she been given sufficient room by the tour bus driver, she would most likely still be here. She would by now have completed her Medical Degree and returned to Malaysia to be with her family.

 “Zhi Min’s death was avoidable,” Gordon added. “The hope is that we learn from this unnecessary loss of life. As drivers, we must learn to recognise the vulnerability of cyclists and the fragility of life as we interact together on the roads.”

Simon joined road.cc as news editor in 2009 and is now the site’s community editor, acting as a link between the team producing the content and our readers. A law and languages graduate, published translator and former retail analyst, he has reported on issues as diverse as cycling-related court cases, anti-doping investigations, the latest developments in the bike industry and the sport’s biggest races. Now back in London full-time after 15 years living in Oxford and Cambridge, he loves cycling along the Thames but misses having his former riding buddy, Elodie the miniature schnauzer, in the basket in front of him.

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5 comments

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harrybav | 1 year ago
1 like

Glad to see a story on this one that doesn't entirely parrot the "fell on tram tracks then unavoildably run over" line. They used to even say the tour bus was coming the other way, iirc. I suspect those tour bus drivers are quite distracted doing their commentary etc. I remember rabbie's changed their route after this, for a bit anyway. I wonder if they have any extra driver training.

Avatar
hawkinspeter | 3 years ago
3 likes

I don't understand why drivers can't just leave a bit more room around cyclists. It's not going to make any difference to their journey time and could make the difference between a bit of a scare and a tragedy.

Can anyone explain the advantage of trying to get really close to the vehicle in front of you?

Avatar
brooksby replied to hawkinspeter | 3 years ago
1 like

hawkinspeter wrote:

Can anyone explain the advantage of trying to get really close to the vehicle in front of you?

You get to watch whatever Youtube clip they're watching on their phone, too?

Avatar
brooksby | 3 years ago
2 likes

Quote:

the driver of the minibus was within the 20mph speed limit and was aware of the cyclist’s presence, he had been closing in on her, and was therefore unable to take evasive action when she fell.

Ermm...  So the driver was too close, surely?

Avatar
andyp363 | 3 years ago
5 likes

"There has been no formal admission of liability but the insurers of the minibus agreed to compensate the family for their grief and sorrow at losing Zhi Min."

From the local paper

The section is a really narrow lane with barriers on the edge of the pavement, you have less than 30cm between kerb and tram track.

Bus "closing" would freak out most people in that location all it would take is a concerned look round inadvertently turning slightly and your wheel could easily end up in the tram tracks.

Driver not paying attention and driving to close to a cyclist?

If it was a car in front that hammered on the anchors and the bus hit him there would be no question of fault.

I know she fell off but you don't instantly stop. Wobble, fall and slide probably gonna be about the same distance as a modern car hitting the brakes

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