63-year-old Manuel Martins (right) saw cyclist Tom Samson, 35 (inset) struck by a van during this morning’s rush hour at Lansdowne Ave and Davenport Road. Then he saw Mr. Samson’s body flung through the air directly at his own van. The cyclist bounced off Mr Manuel’s vehicle and fell to the roadway. The brief horrifying accident is loaded with ill fortune. The driver of the first van, which was travelling in the opposite direction to Martins, kept right on going. Police are looking for a 1996-2000 Chrysler van with heavy damage to the front end. It seems certain they will find it. Mr. Samson was the father of two and a well-liked teacher at Swansea Public School. Police say they have not determined exactly what happened but Mr. Martins will be an important witness. He says Mr Samson was riding his bike across Davenport in the pedestrian walkway. He says the vans had the green light.
