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Saturday 22nd November, 2008

Imperial staff member killed in hit-and-run

Posted: Mar 18th 2005, 17:40

An Imperial College ICT worker was knocked off his bicycle and killed by a 4x4 vehicle earlier this week.

Thomas Sippel-Dau died on Cromwell Road, near to Imperial's South Kensington campus. The driver of the dark coloured vehicle drove away after realising what had happened.

Arthur Spirling, Imperial's Deputy Director of ICT, said: "[Thomas] seemed to have a particular affinity with our students and his patient and calm approach endeared him to many".

Police have asked anyone who may have seen the incident to contact them on 0207 259 0324 or 0800 555 111.

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Comments

Re: Imperial staff member killed in hit-and-run

Tragic event. I used to live on Cromwell rd. - it is an absolute deathtrap. I think this is the third death in as many years on that stretch of road. And the driver who committed this act is a disgraceful coward.

Darius Nikbin

Re: Imperial staff member killed in hit-and-run

I don't know why those opulent sloane rangers insist on having such huge vehicles in central London anyway. Something should be done to protect the rest of us from these selfish cowardly leeches.

Marcus

Re: Imperial staff member killed in hit-and-run

I can't believe this happened to Thomas Sippel-Dau, of all people. He was incredibly knowledgable on many things, and didn't feel the need (as some very smart men do) to force it in your face. I agree, the driver acted in a pathetically cowardly manner. Hopefully they'll find him or her and justice will be done, but I don't have high hopes.

Andrew Sykes

Re: Imperial staff member killed in hit-and-run

It's a terrible shame; from my brief dealings with Thomas, and from reading his numerous posts to mailing lists, he was a very personable, very intelligent, helpful, friendly man. 4x4s are bad enough where I come from out in rural Essex, where 90% of them are never taken off road. People just don't know how to handle such large vehicles. In cities it is even more ridiculous, but I suspect some of the attraction is the 'bling' factor. Anyway, big SUVs have more space for ICE, right...? There is something being done, and you can help. http://www.stopurban4x4s.org.uk/ is the website of the Alliance Against Urban 4x4s, who, as well as lobbying for higher road tax for said wagons of destruction, want "to make driving a big 4x4 as socially unacceptable as drink-driving".

Simon Clark

Re: Imperial staff member killed in hit-and-run

Very sad news indeed and my condolences go to his family. I hope that the driver is caught and bought to justice.

Atul S Rana

Re: Imperial staff member killed in hit-and-run

Thanks Simon, I was previously unaware of this campaign. This active approach might be described as 'in yer face', but it is a more effective tribute, to victims like Thomas, than resigning ourselves to the hope that his murderer might be individually punished. For their own sake, as well as for Thomas' family, it would be good to see the killer own up, but this is not just a matter of individual guilt and carelessness. Will the punishment of Thomas' murderer truly compensate his family or resolve this social problem? If we can act to make these antisocial ways of life less popular and acceptable, then perhaps we will prevent the same fate from befalling many other innocent people. I wholeheartedly support the stopurban4x4s campaign. There is also a national organisation that has a broader vision to 'curb' the traffic that increasingly dominates our lives: http://www.transport2000.org.uk/

Marcus

Re: Imperial staff member killed in hit-and-run

The London cyclists organisation, Critical Mass (http://www.criticalmasslondon.org.uk) is planning to visit the scene of Thomas' death during their monthly ride on the evening of Friday 29th April, in memory of Thomas and in protest at his killing. If anyone would like to join this event: Cyclists - meet outside Faculty Building Cycle Cage at 6.00pm OR meet under Waterloo Bridge (south end) at 6.30pm Pedestrians (or cyclists) - meet at the corner of Cromwell Road and Exhibition Road (outside Natural History Museum - see flyer link below) at 7.30 pm. The ride will continue from there to the scene of the accident at walking pace. A PDF flyer about the event and about Thomas is at: http://www.sbg.bio.ic.ac.uk/~brj03/cycling/TSDleaflet.pdf Please forward this on to anyone who might be interested in taking part.

Ben Jefferys

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