A fourth cyclist fell victim to a “death trap” cycle lane just hours after three others fell off their bikes in a five minute spell.

Yesterday The Argus reported how three cyclists fell off their bikes after hitting a “hidden” kerb in Lewes Road’s Vogue Gyratory, Brighton, on Thursday morning.

Two of them were hospitalised after going head-first over their handlebars on the new £600,000 redevelopment, only opened by Brighton and Hove City Council just days ago.

Now a fourth victim has come forward after falling off her bike on the same day.

Bev Wells, 55, from Brighton, was left battered and bruised with a broken hand after striking the same piece of kerb at about 3pm on Thursday.

She said: “I’m in a hell of a lot of pain. I went to hospital for x-rays and I have a broken hand, a grazed face and a bruised body. I did exactly what the other three cyclists did – smashed into the hidden bit of kerb and came off.“Luckily I landed on the pavement side. If I had landed in the road I dread to think what might have happened.”

Ms Wells crashed right in front of Argus photographer Tony Wood, who was at the scene taking photographs to accompany yesterday’s original story about the first three cyclists.

Due to her broken hand Ms Wells, who is a seamstress for popular tailor Gresham Blake, will now be out of work for the next six weeks.

She also cannot drive, meaning she will not be able to see her family this Christmas. She added: “It’s a ridiculous design and it’s only a matter of time before someone is seriously hurt.

“I’ve complained to the council and they told me to await a call from their insurers. “I have lost my livelihood for a number of weeks due to a poorly designed, over-priced death trap that hasn't even been open a week.”

The Argus was also contacted by a fifth cyclist, Dave MacAdam, who said he came off his bike in the same cycle lane on Monday.

The 51-year-old said: “The design makes me very angry. It must be changed. My knee is a mess and so is my hand. I am still limping three days later. I am an experienced mountain biker and have never fallen off except when I’ve been an idiot. This is a really poorly designed cycle lane.”

Brighton and Hove City Council said it could not comment until it had seen “police reports.” However yesterday it had coned-off the outside of the cycle lane to prevent any more accidents.

A spokeswoman said: “We are aware of the cycle lane incidents and are investigating them to make sure the temporary safety measures that are in place there are appropriate.”