Brighton: Whitehawk boy hit by cyclist on Undercliff Walk

Eddie Woodhouse was playing on a section of the Undercliff Walk near Ovingdean Café in Brighton when he was hit by a cyclist who came hurtling towards him.

His parents looked on in horror as they tried to call to him to get out of the way but it was too late.

Katrin Tweddle, Eddie’s mother, said it was “traumatic” and “awful” to witness her son get hit.

“He hit the ground face first and I ran over to peel him off the floor. I was enraged, shocked, hysterical,” Katrin told The Argus.

“It is really horrible to see your child effectively run over.”

The cyclist stopped and got off his bike to apologise and told Katrin he had tried to brake, but Katrin says he was cycling “too fast” in an area where riders are supposed to dismount.

“We deliberately went to Ovingdean as we know that area is nice and flat so Eddie could have a go riding his scooter without worrying for his safety,”

Eddie’s parents took the crying four-year-old to A&E to get him checked out as he was cut and bruised on his face.

Eddie's top lip was cut and he has been left with scabs (Image: Katrin Tweddle)

“His lip was cut and his mouth was full of blood,” said Katrin, who lives in Whitehawk Road with Eddie and her partner, Eddie's father.

“Eddie is doing much better now but his upper lip is very swollen as he was scratched and grazed on his face. He has scabs now from the impact when he fell to the ground.”

Katrin took to Facebook to share her story and was “overwhelmed” by the number of people who had experienced similar experiences in the area.

“So many people were concerned about it,” said Katrin.

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There is an area at Ovingdean Café which is supposed to be for pedestrians and cyclists are meant to dismount, but Katrin said signage there is not obvious enough for cyclists.

A spokeswoman for Brighton and Hove City Council said: “The Undercliff Walk is used by pedestrians and cyclists and we hope people consider and respect each other’s safety.

“This is especially true during busy periods like on weekends and during good weather.

“There are signs in certain areas where cyclists are asked to dismount, including by the Ovingdean Café. This is for everyone’s safety.

“We want everyone to enjoy the Undercliff Walk and we ask they do so responsibly that doesn’t put others at risk of harm.”

The Undercliff Walk is open to cyclists and pedestrians, but cyclists are supposed to dismount near Ovingdean Cafe

Katrin said: “I don’t blame the cyclist – while he was riding fast, he wasn’t being reckless and it is the council that is not making it clear enough.

“As it gets busier and busier in the summer months this is going to happen more and the people working at the café said they have seen accidents like this before.”

Eddie's parents took him to hospital to get him checked up (Image: Katrin Tweddle)

Katrin and her partner both cycle and highlighted that cyclists wanting to ride fast can use the A259 cycle lane, which runs parallel to the Undercliff Walk.

“It would be easy to implement larger signs, or a kind of level crossing barrier which would encourage cyclists to dismount,” said Katrin.

Katrin reported the incident to the police so she had a crime reference number to share with the council. She has also contacted the council to raise her concerns.

A spokeswoman for Brighton and Hove City Council added: “This sounds like a distressing incident for all involved and we hope the child makes a speedy recovery.

“As the matter is being investigated by the police we are unable to make any further comment at this time.”

Sussex Police have been contacted for comment.