1:16pm Friday 19th September 2008
POLICE are appealing for information after a 51-year-old cyclist was killed in a road accident involving two cars.
Graham Thwaites of Petersham Drive, St Paul's Cray, was hit by a blue Mitsubishi Shogun in Leesons Hill at the junction with Highfield Road, shortly after 8.30pm last night.
He was taken to King's College Hospital where he died at 1.48am this morning.
Five men have since been arrested.
A Vauxhall Vectra was stopped nearby in Beddington Road, St Paul's Cray and the four men inside aged between 22 and 25, were arrested on suspicion of causing death by dangerous driving.
A Mitsubishi Shogun was found abandoned in Cricket Ground Road, Chislehurst a few hours later.
Leesons Hill re-opened at 5.48am this morning.
A 33-year-old man wanted in connection with the incident handed himself in at Bromley police station this morning and was arrested on suspicion of causing death by dangerous driving.
Sergeant Simon Seeley, who is leading the investigation, said: "We believe there was an altercation between the blue Shogun and a second car, a blue Vauxhall Vectra, at an earlier set of traffic lights.
"Both cars then travelled at speed along Leesons Hill where the collision occurred.
"Neither vehicle stopped at the scene, but both have since been traced.
"I would ask anyone who was in the area at the time and saw either the collision or events immediately before or after it to get in touch with us."
Mary Spinks, of Leesons Hill, helped to tie flowers for Mr Thwaites to a nearby lamp post after the accident.
She said: "I have seen three accidents on this road to date and it is such a tragedy that this man has died.
"The emergency services must have been working on the man for at least an hour.
"I heard the crash and then a couple of minutes later a police car come past with its lights on.
"You take your life into your hands when you cross this road."
Patricia Grossi, of Highfield Road, saw the aftermath of the accident as police sealed of Leesons Hill and Highfield Road for most of the night.
The 70-year-old said: "No-one could come in or out of my road and there were police everywhere.
"The car involved smashed right into my wall and left it with huge cracks in it.
"The emergency services were fantastic though and they did everything they could.
"It is a tragedy for this man's family."
Another onlooker said she heard a man cry out after hearing a thud and clash of metal, adding: "That sound will stay with me for the rest of my life."
A post-mortem is due to take place on Monday (September 22).
Anyone with information is asked to contact the collision investigation unit at Catford on 020 8285 1574 or if you wish to remain anonymous call Crimestoppers on 0800 555 111.
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