Battersea crash: Woman was 'killed by truck as she crossed road outside police station'

'Dangerous road': Witnesses claim a woman was killed as she walked across Lavender Hill

A woman was killed after being hit by a truck as she crossed a road at rush hour outside a police station, witnesses said today.

Officers rushed from Lavender Hill police station in south London after the crash in Battersea at about 8am today.

Police initially believed the woman was a cyclist but have since confirmed she was a pedestrian. Her age is not yet known.

James Bailey, who works close to the scene of the crash near the junction with Elsoth Road, told the Standard that the woman was reportedly crossing the busy road when she was struck.

He said: “It happened before we arrived at work but there are lots of police officers and numerous police vans.

“We have been told it was a fatality and that the woman was crossing the road when it happened.”

Fatal smash: A woman was killed after being hit by a lorry in Lavender Hill

Justin Lee, 36, who lives in Clapham, walked past the crash moments after it happened.

He told the Standard he “couldn’t describe what he saw” but added “it was not very nice at all".

He said: “I was walking towards the gym and I saw the big lorry pulled up, at first I thought it was an odd place to park but then I realised what had happened.

“There were lots of people around and I saw the first police officer run across the road to help.

“I can’t quite think about what I saw, it was too traumatic.”

'Unthinkable' scenes: Witnesses described the moment police officers rushed to the scene
Twitter/Alex Robinson

Mr Lee has also called for drivers to watch their speed on the road.

He added: “I’ve seen so many people speed up near that junction, outside the library, when the lights go from orange to red – I’m not saying that’s what happened here but it is a dangerous road.”

Passers-by described dramatic scenes as police cordoned off a large section of the road and erected a tent.

A spokesman for the Metropolitan Police said: “London Ambulance Service and London's Air Ambulance attended.

"The female was pronounced dead at the scene

“Road closures are in place while emergency services deal with the incident.”

A London Ambulance Service spokeswoman said medics arrived on the scene four minutes after the crash.

British Gypsum confirmed to the Standard that one of its vehicles — operated by a long-standing third party contractor — was involved.

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