Design student, 29, killed when bike crushed by lorry in West London

Tributes have poured in for a cyclist who was killed in a collision with a cement lorry in South West London on Thursday after she was named as an award-winning design student.

Giovanna Cappiello, 29, from Bologna, Italy, was studying an foundation degree course at the University of the Arts, London. 

Just two weeks away from graduating she was killed while cycling in Battersea at around 3pm on Thursday.

The design student, known to her friends as Gio, died at the scene from critical injuries despite paramedics best efforts.  

Her boyfriend Daniel Caseri shared a tribute to his Facebook which read: ‘How can I live without you? Love you so much Chiccotta mia.’ 

Detectives from the Met’s Serious Collision Investigation Unit are appealing for witnesses and anyone with dashcam footage to come forward.  

Detective Sergeant Steve Cannings of the Met’s Serious Collision Investigation Unit said: ‘It is vital that we put together an accurate picture of events surrounding this tragic incident.

‘I am particularly keen to hear from anyone with dash-cam footage or who witnessed the incident first hand.’

Anyone who can assist the investigation is asked to contact the Serious Collision Investigation Unit’s witness appeal line on 020 8285 1574 or via 101.

Professor David Crow, UAL’s pro-vice chancellor, told The Evening Standard: ‘[Miss Cappiello] was a highly accomplished student, whose excellent achievements were recognised with the Chartered Society of Designers student award 2019, presented to her at the end of year degree show in June.

‘Gio will be fondly remembered by everyone who knew her at Chelsea College of Arts as someone who was always kind, committed, dedicated and humble.

‘She had told her course leader how much she was looking forward to her chosen pathway — she said she wanted to make a difference.’

‘Her loss at the very start of her journey is a huge shock for her friends, her peers, her tutors and everyone in the college. She will be greatly missed.’

Friend Alessia Tripi, who studied with Miss Cappiello, told The Evening Standard: ‘She was the best. The most brilliant, joyful, happy, lovely person.’ 

‘She was amazing and beautiful in and outside. A lot of people are crying for her loss. It’s too hard.’

Staff at the Berkeley Hotel in Belgravia also paid tribute to Miss Cappiello, who worked there to support her studies, calling her ‘greatly valued’ and a ‘popular member of the team’.

Miss Cappeillo is the third cyclist to die in London this year and one of nine killed on the city’s roads since last Sunday.

Last night an 18-year-old boy was pronounced dead at the scene of a crash in Thames Road, Crayford at around 10pm after hitting the central reservation.

There have been 64 deaths on London’s roads this year, eight cyclists, 16 motorbike  or scooter riders and 37 pedestrians.    

Last year saw a record low of 110 killed on the cities roads.

The Vision Zero global initiative has been introduced by Mayor of London Sadiq Khan who aims to reach the target of zero deaths on London’s roads by 2041.