Leading UK COVID scientist dies in cycling accident near Italy's Lake Garda

A leading member of the government's health science team has died after falling in a cycling accident near Lake Garda in Italy.

Susannah Boddie, 27, was killed while cycling downhill in the mountains above Toscolano Maderno at around 10am on Friday morning.

She was on holiday with her partner at the time, and sustained catastrophic injuries, despite wearing a helmet.

Ms Boddie was the lead health data scientist at Number 10 and had been working as a civil servant since her graduation from the University of Cambridge in 2019.

According to her LinkedIn, she became Health Team Manager at Number 10 in December 2022.

Her family said in a statement: "Susannah lived life to the full and had achieved so much in her short life. She crammed more into her life than you would have thought possible.

"She was the loveliest, kindest person who always inspired and cared for others and was adored by all her many friends. She will leave the biggest hole in our family and that of Rob her much-loved partner.

"She was the most wonderful daughter, sister, grandaughter and friend you could ever wish for and her memory will continue to inspire us in all we do."

Both Ms Boddie and her partner were said to be experienced cyclists, having just finished a tour of the Dolomites and had been due to return to the UK this week.

A Downing Street spokeswoman said: "Susannah was an incredible scientist, an inspiring sportswoman, a loved and admired colleague and friend to those at No 10 and many others within the civil service.

"Our thoughts are with her family at this difficult time."