A beloved Prospect Park volunteer was badly injured — and is now in a coma — after a collision with a cyclist on her own turf on Thursday.
Linda Cohen, a 54-year-old power-walker, was crossing West Lake Drive near the Vanderbilt Playground at 2:50 pm, when she was struck by a 61-year-old racing cyclist headed southbound, according to cops.
Cohen was rushed to Kings County Hospital, where doctors induced a coma, according to the blog, A Walk in the Park, which first reported the accident.
The crash comes after at least three cycling-related accidents plagued the park this past summer — and after park-goers complained to the city about hazy bike-and-walking path rules on the very same loop.
In this case, the cyclist stayed at the scene and was not issued a summons or charged with a crime.
“We all just have to be careful and pay attention,” said Paul Nelson, spokesman for Prospect Park Alliance. “Our thoughts and prayers are with [Cohen] and her family for a speedy and full recovery.”
A task force will meet next week to examine how to better — and more safely — share the street.
Prospect Park Road Sharing Task Force [Meet at the Prospect Park picnic house, just south of the Third Street entrance, (646) 393-9031], Nov. 16, 6 pm.
Reach reporter Natalie O'Neill at noneill@cnglocal.com or by calling her at (718) 260-4505.
