Stephen Hodnett
Stephen Hodnett
Wednesday, May 6, 2009
Age: 40
Location:
Jamaica Ave and Lefferts Boulevard
Richmond Hill
Queens , NY
United States
from the Daily News:
An Avid Irish bicyclist - who traveled the globe raising money for charities - was killed by a truck in Queens Wednesday.
Stephen Hodnett, 40, who left his native Dublin to live in London, was pedaling along Jamaica Ave. and Lefferts Blvd. in Richmond Hill when he collided with a 10-wheeler truck, police sources said.
Hodnett was pronounced dead at Jamaica Hospital minutes after the 2:20 p.m. crash, police said..
"He loved cycling. That bike he was killed on - it has been all over the world," said Gavin White, of Newfoundland, Canada, who rode alongside Hodnett in Paris, Moscow, Tokyo, and a slew of other world cities.
The pair would pick a charity and bike along subway routes to promote it, White said.
"Nobody
has ever done this," said the distraught Wright after talking to cops
in the 102nd Precinct stationhouse. "We just wanted to see parts of
cities no tourists will ever go to."
They purposely put off visiting New York, seeing the Big Apple as their prized bike tour, White said.
White
and Hodnett had signed up sponsors among friends and family who donated
money based on how many subway stops the duo made. The funds supported
the Lions Foundation of Canada, an organization that pairs seeing-eye dogs with the blind.
"I see this guy trapped under one of the wheels. The truck was too big. He did not stand a chance," said witness Maribel Martinez, 20.
Cops said the driver will not face charges.
From The Guardian (UK)
A charity cyclist from Tooting was struck down by a 10-wheeler truck last week while pedaling around New York for the blind.
Stephen Hodnett, 40, died at 2.20pm on Wednesday, May 6, while
cycling down Jamaica Avenue in the Queen’s district with his Canadian
friend, Gavin Wright.
The pair set out to raise money by cycling between every tube
station in the city, a stunt they had already performed in Paris,
London, Tokyo and Moscow.
Close friend Mark Shaw, 47, also from Tooting, said he died doing the two things he loved best - cycling and helping others.
He said: “He was a beautiful man, and he would do anything for his mates. He was a gentle giant.”
The Celia Road resident was rushed to hospital after becoming
trapped under one of the truck’s wheels, but was pronounced dead
shortly after arrival.
Local media reported the truck driver would not face charges.
Mr Hodnett, an interior designer, collected sponsorship for the
Lions Foundation of Canada, which provides guide dogs for the blind.
Mr Shaw, a musician who fronted 80s band Then Jerico, said his
friend was a great joker who wrote crime novels in his spare time and
loved taking on crazy challenges.
Mr Hodnett was the 56th champion in the world for bog snorkelling,
a bizarre sport where athletes cycle through a bog with a mask and
snorkel.
He was also a big fan of Manchester United, and would often watch
games in A Bar 2 Far in Mitcham Road with his three best friends, Mr
Shaw, James Downes and Saghir Hussain.
Mr Shaw said: “Once we absailed down a board at Old Trafford for cystic fibrosis. We were singing all the way.
“The Man United four is now the Man United three.”
Mr Hodnett came to London several years ago from his native Ireland, where his ashes will be flown to shortly.
Wednesday, May 6, 2009
Age: 40
Location:
Jamaica Ave and Lefferts Boulevard
Richmond Hill
Queens , NY
United States
from the Daily News:
An Avid Irish bicyclist - who traveled the globe raising money for charities - was killed by a truck in Queens Wednesday.
Stephen Hodnett, 40, who left his native Dublin to live in London, was pedaling along Jamaica Ave. and Lefferts Blvd. in Richmond Hill when he collided with a 10-wheeler truck, police sources said.
Hodnett was pronounced dead at Jamaica Hospital minutes after the 2:20 p.m. crash, police said..
"He loved cycling. That bike he was killed on - it has been all over the world," said Gavin White, of Newfoundland, Canada, who rode alongside Hodnett in Paris, Moscow, Tokyo, and a slew of other world cities.
The pair would pick a charity and bike along subway routes to promote it, White said.
"Nobody
has ever done this," said the distraught Wright after talking to cops
in the 102nd Precinct stationhouse. "We just wanted to see parts of
cities no tourists will ever go to."
They purposely put off visiting New York, seeing the Big Apple as their prized bike tour, White said.
White
and Hodnett had signed up sponsors among friends and family who donated
money based on how many subway stops the duo made. The funds supported
the Lions Foundation of Canada, an organization that pairs seeing-eye dogs with the blind.
"I see this guy trapped under one of the wheels. The truck was too big. He did not stand a chance," said witness Maribel Martinez, 20.
Cops said the driver will not face charges.
From The Guardian (UK)
A charity cyclist from Tooting was struck down by a 10-wheeler truck last week while pedaling around New York for the blind.
Stephen Hodnett, 40, died at 2.20pm on Wednesday, May 6, while
cycling down Jamaica Avenue in the Queen’s district with his Canadian
friend, Gavin Wright.
The pair set out to raise money by cycling between every tube
station in the city, a stunt they had already performed in Paris,
London, Tokyo and Moscow.
Close friend Mark Shaw, 47, also from Tooting, said he died doing the two things he loved best - cycling and helping others.
He said: “He was a beautiful man, and he would do anything for his mates. He was a gentle giant.”
The Celia Road resident was rushed to hospital after becoming
trapped under one of the truck’s wheels, but was pronounced dead
shortly after arrival.
Local media reported the truck driver would not face charges.
Mr Hodnett, an interior designer, collected sponsorship for the
Lions Foundation of Canada, which provides guide dogs for the blind.
Mr Shaw, a musician who fronted 80s band Then Jerico, said his
friend was a great joker who wrote crime novels in his spare time and
loved taking on crazy challenges.
Mr Hodnett was the 56th champion in the world for bog snorkelling,
a bizarre sport where athletes cycle through a bog with a mask and
snorkel.
He was also a big fan of Manchester United, and would often watch
games in A Bar 2 Far in Mitcham Road with his three best friends, Mr
Shaw, James Downes and Saghir Hussain.
Mr Shaw said: “Once we absailed down a board at Old Trafford for cystic fibrosis. We were singing all the way.
“The Man United four is now the Man United three.”
Mr Hodnett came to London several years ago from his native Ireland, where his ashes will be flown to shortly.