Edmonton cyclist dies in 'freak accident'

A 21-year-old cyclist died Monday in what police in Edmonton described as a "freak accident."

Police said Isaak Kornelsen was travelling west on Whyte Avenue and 101st Street around 10:30 a.m. when he struck the mirror of a parked pickup truck.

He lost control and fell under the rear wheels of a moving cement truck. He was killed instantly.

"From what I understand from the witnesses, the last second he saw the mirror sticking out, tried to duck underneath it, and struck it," said acting Insp. Erik Johnson. "That's what caused him to lose control of his bicycle."

The driver of the cement truck is in shock and is getting help from victim services. Johnson said there was nothing the driver could have done to stop the collision.

"The cement truck driver had no idea that he'd even run over the cyclist," he said. "So obviously, he's not at fault in any way, shape or form with this one."

Police were taking measurements on the pickup truck to make sure it was legally parked.

On Monday afternoon, the Edmonton Bicycle Commuters Society placed a "ghost bike" at the scene.

"That's a bike that's all painted white and we set it up near the site of the incident as a reminder to everyone we need to be courteous and aware of each other," said executive director Chris Chan.

The death is Edmonton's 23rd traffic fatality of 2012.