Police appeal for information after cyclist death
Grandmother Brenda Carlton died in hospital after being involved in a collision with a Land Rover as she cycled to her home in Leckhampton last week.
Yesterday evening, exactly a week after the accident, officers stopped drivers and pedestrians on Leckhampton Road, handing out leaflets appealing for witnesses.
More than 350 vehicles were stopped between 4.40pm and 5.20pm, along with 30 pedestrians and cyclists.
PC Gavin Crozier, senior investigating officer, said: “We’re doing a road check, which involves stopping every vehicle and pedestrian and handing them a leaflet – the purpose being to drum up witnesses.
“We’re desperate to get witnesses to help establish the facts. I have done this before and it has proved successful.”
The operation was deliberately timed to take place on the same day and at the same time as the collision, which happened at the junction with Halland Road.
It resulted in one woman who had come upon the scene shortly after the collision coming to the attention of the police.
PC Crozier said: “The idea is to catch the same people – commuters, regular traffic and people who use this road on a regular basis.”
Police would particularly like to hear from the driver of a white box-type, Transit-style van who told a police community support officer about the accident in Bath Road.
They are also hoping to trace a small, silver 4x4 vehicle that came down Leckhampton Hill and was believed to be first on the scene coming from that direction.
The drivers are sought as witnesses and not in connection with the collision.
A total of 400 leaflets were given out detailing the time and place of the accident and urging witnesses to come forward.
Driver David Warmisham, from Charlton Kings, was one of the motorists stopped at the checkpoint.
The 44-year-old said he did not mind being held up.
He said: “If this involved me or a relative or a friend, I would certainly want action to be taken.
“Unfortunately I can’t help with this particular case, but I think jogging memories is a good thing.
“Someone might have spotted something and not put two and two together.”
A 35-year-old woman, who was stopped when walking on the pavement, said: “It’s a bit of a nuisance, but equally I can see why they are doing it. They are taking it seriously, which is good.”
Mrs Carlton, 72, from Halland Road, was due to celebrate her 50th wedding anniversary with her husband Ron this year.
The vehicle involved in the collision was a grey Land Rover Defender, driven by a 39-year-old man from Cheltenham.
Anyone with any information should call Gloucestershire Police on 0845 090 1234, quoting incident 303 of February 1.
