Daniel Harris

Family describe Barkingside cyclist killed in coach collision as a “wonderful son”

Alistair Kleebauer, Senior reporter Monday, August 6, 2012
9:53 AM

The family of the Barkingside cyclist killed on Wednesday in a collision with a coach have paid tribute to a “wonderful son and boyfriend”.

Daniel Harris, 28, of Waterloo Road, Barkingside, died after his bike collided with an Olympic Games bus at 7.40pm in Ruckholt Road (A106), junction with the East Cross Route (A12), Hackney Wick.

In a statement released through the Met police, his family said: “We as a family would like to thank everyone for their kind words of support over our tragic and devastating loss of a wonderful son and boyfriend.

“This is for all the friends and strangers who have said some truly beautiful things about our boy.

“Everyone who knew Dan loved him for his sense of humour, fun and adventure.”

They said that Mr Harris was wearing a helmet when he died and described him as an experienced cyclist who had cycled “across Thailand, Cambodia, Vietnam and back”.

His family said: “He wasn’t just cycling because of the high profile it has received because of the Olympics, he was just going backwards and forwards to work as he always did.”

Mr Harris attended Ilford County High School in Fremantle Road, Barkingside, before going to the University of Plymouth.

He was a swimmer and kayaker from “a very young age” and was “generally keen on all watersports”.

As a teenager he was a lifeguard who his family said was “always safety conscious, but was nevertheless always ready to take on a challenge”.

His girlfriend Cecilia Dominici writing on Twitter said: “My silly english boy, the love of my life, my boo.

“I don’t know how to live without you.”

He was a community manager working on social media with printing company Moo in Shoreditch and colleagues released a statement describing him as a “popular, entertaining and much loved member of the MOO crew”.

It said: “There are no words that can truly express how much we’ll all miss him, and his infectious enthusiasm, warmth and passion for life.”

A 65-year-old man was arrested at the scene on suspicion of causing death by dangerous driving and was taken to an east London police station.

He has been bailed pending further inquiries to a date in late August.

The collision is being investigated by the Met’s Road Death Investigation Unit.

Anyone with information on the accident should call 020 8597 4874, or to remain anonymous call Crimestoppers on 0800 555 111.