This is so spooky because I narrowly escaped a similear accident on my commute this morning.
I was pedalling down a hill, on through a green light, van turns right in front of me from the opposite side of the road, narrowly missing me by a millimetre as I swerved wildly to avoid him. A split second earlier and I'd have been minced meat under his big, fat, scary wheels. It was so close I felt the wind brush past my face as he accelerated in front of/towards me.
I was so shaken afterwards, at such a close call, that my knees began to knock and I burst into tears (I'm not normally that emotional and have a close shave most days with car doors or impatient cars - Auckland is NOT for the feint hearted cyclist!).
As I was coming home, I checked the timing on the lights, and it seems the van must've gone through completely on red.
It was just one of those "There but for the grace of God" moments.
It makes me so angry that despite being a vigilant, safe, conspicious rider (I was wearing a flourescent green jacket at the time), I'm still at the mercy of idiots. I try not to get bitter and twisted, but it's so hard when the thing you love is spoiled every day be someone doing something stupid. Thankfully up to now I've avoided injury.
Rant over.

I'm so sorry to hear about the lady cyclist who wasn't so lucky. I truly hope she heals quickly and that the injuries don't leave permanent physical/psychological scars.

Thanks for the reminder about being vigilant - we can only try our best - I already feel like a meerkat on wheels, but sometimes we're reminded just a little bit more to be that one step ahead.
Let's be safe out there.