THE cyclist who died on Princes Street in Edinburgh on Wednesday after her wheel became stuck in tram tracks was named yesterday by police as Zhi Min Soh, a 23-year-old medical student from Malaysia.
She died from injuries sustained after she fell into the path of a tour minibus on Princes Street at its junction with Lothian Road at about 8:30am on Wednesday.
Soh, from Kuala Lumpur, studied at Edinburgh University’s Medical School where shocked staff described her as “a bright star of the future”.
Police Scotland have renewed their calls for witnesses to the accident, which has caused considerable anger among Edinburgh’s cycling community.
The National reported two years ago that lawyers and cycling safety campaigners had warned about tram track safety risks in Edinburgh and they have stated this week that those warnings have been ignored by Edinburgh Council which has said that it has made “every effort” to raise awareness of the tracks.
After Lothians Green MSP Alison Johnstone raised the issue at First Minister’s Questions on Thursday, Transport Minister Humza Yousaf has agreed to meet safety campaigners following the tragic accident, and Edinburgh Council is reviewing road safety in the area.
After the first fatality involving the trams, Edinburgh Trams is also reviewing its day-to-day operations in regard to safety.
Dr David Kluth, Director of Undergraduate Training at Edinburgh University Medical School, said: “Zhi Min was a talented, thoughtful student, who was well-respected by her peers and always keen to help.
“She will be deeply missed by the medical school community.
“Our sympathies at this time are with her family and friends. We have all lost a bright star of the future.”
Sgt Fraser Wood of Edinburgh’s road policing unit said: “This is a tragic incident and our thoughts are with Zhi Min’s family and friends as they come to terms with their loss.
“I would like to thank those who stopped in Princes Street to assist Zhi Min on Wednesday morning.
“A significant number of witnesses have come forward and we are continuing to speak to them as part of our ongoing inquiries. We will be in touch with all witnesses in due course.”
He added: “I would again ask anyone who may be able to help our inquiries to come forward and contact us as soon as possible.”
Anyone with information should dial 101 and ask to speak to officers at Edinburgh’s road policing unit.
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