City Hall lowered flags on Monday in honour of a much-valued young employee and colleague Madison Lyden.
The fun-loving 23-year-old was tragically killed last Friday whilst cycling in New York on “the trip of a lifetime”, according to family.
Ms Lyden worked as a swim instructor, lifeguard and receptionist at Leisurelink, Waterworld and Kardinia Pool in Geelong since March last year.
She was riding with a friend on a bike lane near Central Park and was hit by a garbage truck after swerving onto the road to avoid a van that pulled into the bike lane. Both drivers stopped at the scene.
Her friend tried to resuscitate her until ambulance paramedics arrived. However Ms Lyden had suffered severe trauma injuries and was taken to the Roosevelt Hospital, where she was pronounced dead.
A New York Police Department spokesperson said the 44-year-old garbage truck driver was facing three serious drink-driving charges.
Ms Lyden grew up in Hobart and moved to Geelong to further her education, studying psychology at Deakin University.
Her sudden death overseas has hit family, friends and colleagues hard.
The City of Greater Geelong is extending support to affected local staff members.
Given the circumstances, and need for US authorities to release her body for return home to Australia, her family has yet to finalise funeral arrangements.
Her father Andrew Lyden, a prominent builder in Tasmania, told Southern Cross News that “Madison was a beautiful, beautiful daughter. She was loyal, loving.
“For Madison to be taken from us in such a horrific way is gut-wrenching…words can’t describe how heart-breaking this is”.
Tasmanian Premier, Will Hodgman, described the accident on Facebook as “the tragic loss of a bright, spirited young woman”.
A Council statement on Sunday said, “the leadership team, staff, mayor and council of the City of Greater Geelong remain deeply saddened at the untimely and tragic death of one of our young team members, Madison Lyden.”
Chief executive officer Martin Cutter will also write to Madison’s family in Tasmania, to formally acknowledge and convey the City’s grief at her death.
