Cyclist killed while training with daughter

A woman cyclist who died after being hit by a 4WD in central Wellington today was training for a triathlon with her daughter, police said.

The 56-year-old woman lost control of her bike and rode out into a street in the city's Mt Cook suburb where she was hit by a car at about 6.30am, Senior Sergeant Tony Smith said in a statement.

An ambulance was called and several people rushed to help the woman, her distressed daughter and the driver of the vehicle.

But she died a short time after reaching nearby Wellington Hospital.

The accident caused widespread traffic chaos until 9am.

Police said the victim's name would be released after next of kin had been notified.

Forty road deaths have been recorded this year, compared with 48 at the same time last year, figures released by Land Transport Safety Authority today show.

Of this year's casualties, two have been cyclists.

- NZPA