Tragic Cyclist Identified

The cyclist killed in an accident involving a lorry at around 6.30am this morning has been identified.

The man was fatally injured on the Ormeau Road at the Annadale/Ormeau junction with the police initially asking for help in finding out who he was.

"Police have now positively established the identity of the cyclist. However, his details are not being made public at this time at the request of his family," said a PSNI statement on Friday afternoon.

Earlier, they said the man was between 40 and 50 years of a slim to medium build with ginger or sandy coloured hair going grey and receding at the back.

He was wearing white Umbro trainers, black Runhill cycling trousers with thin blue piping down the outside of each leg and with the word Bikster written on one side. He was also wearing a black and grey cycling top under a light blue and black waterproof jacket. He was also wearing distinctive blue cycling gloves with black forefingers.

The bike he was riding is believed to be a Giant CRS 4. It had a rear rack and displayed a sticker for McConvey cycles.

The BBC has reported earlier that a lorry could be seen on the city-bound lane with a crumpled bicycle lying beside it and that a man's body was covered with a white blanket.

Alliance South Belfast representative Anna Lo has expressed her condolences to the family of the cyclist: "This is a terrible tragedy. It highlights the dangers of our roads and it underlines the importance of road safety.

"I would urge all those on the road to be wary of other road users," she said. "My thoughts and condolences go out to his family at what must be a difficult time for them."

The news comes just days after another fatal cycle accident that saw an NI man, Gareth Crockett, 27, from Moira, killed in a road accident in Anglesey on Wednesday.

He was on a sponsored bike ride to raise money for Leukaemia Research in memory of a friend.

Mr Crockett was trying to raise £10,000 by riding more than 450 miles (724 km) and running four marathons in eight days.

The sponsored ride began in Belfast and was due to end with this weekend's London Marathon.

He was with a group of five trying to complete the challenge in memory of their friend John Erwin, who passed away in May 2010.

Mr Crockett died following a crash with a silver Vauxhall Corsa between Gwalchmai and Llangefni on 13 April.

The 77-year-old car driver was arrested and bailed, pending further inquiries.

The SDLP Regional Development Spokesperson, Conall McDevitt, has also today described the death of a cyclist on the Ormeau Road this morning as a huge tragedy.

Mr McDevitt who is a keen cyclist has called on all road users to think more about road safety.

"This is a huge tragedy and my sympathies go to the victim's family and friends.

"There has been a significant increase in the number of people commuting to work and school on bikes in Belfast," he said.

Mr McDevitt also expressed his party's sympathy with the family and friends of charity cyclist Gareth Crockett who died in another accident in Wales.

(BMcC/GK)