‘Bright, brilliant and brave’ LSE student killed in bike collision with rubbish lorry

A PhD student at the London School of Economics, originally from India, has died after her bike collided with a refuse truck in Farringdon.

33 year-old Cheistha Kochhar was pronounced dead at the scene on the 19th of March 2024.

The driver of the vehicle reportedly stopped at the scene and is cooperating with the police with the Metropolitan Police confirming that no arrests have been made and that an inquiry is ongoing.

The accident occurred on Clerkenwell Road near the junction with Farringdon Road, as Cheistha was cycling home from LSE with her husband.

Cheistha’s husband was cycling several metres ahead of her and turned back when he heard a loud noise.

She is believed to have collided with a refuse vehicle, according to the police.

A Met Police spokesperson said: “The lorry, believed to be a garbage vehicle, stopped at the scene. The driver is helping with the probe.”

Cheistha was studying for a PhD in behavioural science at the London School of Economics.

Writing on X, a former colleague called her “bright, brilliant & brave and always full of life.” He also said that she had “gone away too early.”

Cheistha Kochar worked with me on the #LIFE programme in @NITIAayog She was in the #Nudge unit and had gone to do her Ph.D in behavioural science at #LSE
Passed away in a terrible traffic incident while cycling in London. She was bright, brilliant & brave and always full of… pic.twitter.com/7WyyklhsTA

— Amitabh Kant (@amitabhk87) March 23, 2024

In a tribute on his LinkedIn page, her father wrote: “I am still in London trying to collect the remains of my daughter, Cheistha Kochhar. She was run over by a truck on 19th March while cycling back from LSE, where she was doing her PhD.

“It has devastated us and her large circle of friends.”

Related articles recommended by this author:

• London student may have died from long term implications of laughing gas, inquest hears

• SOAS and Met Police criticised over search for missing student as body pulled from Thames

Most Read

The heartbreaking reason behind Tulisa’s transformation and why she looks so different now

Emma reveals where she and Caspar are now and lots has changed since the MAFS UK reunion

Lacey and Nathan embroiled in nasty feud following ‘bitter rows’ after MAFS UK split

• Protestors ‘rename’ UCL Student Centre honouring Palestinian alumnus killed in Gaza

Featured Image via Google Maps and @amitabhk87 on X