An 81-year-old pedestrian was struck and killed by a cyclist near Willowbank in Queenston on Saturday afternoon.

Louise Leyland, who was active in community organizations in both Queenston and Old Town, died after she was hit by a cyclist who was southbound on Queenston Street, a statement from Niagara Regional Police said.

In a message to members of the Queenston Residents’ Association, president Jim Armstrong said Leyland was struck near Dee Road, not far from the roadside plaque for  Willowbank.

• An appreciation: Friends of Fort George executive director Amanda Gamble offers some personal reminisces of Louise Leyland. Read her thoughts here.

Police said she was hit as she crossed from the east to the west side of Queenston Street.

“The lives of two people intersected with devastating consequences,” Armstrong said in his message to members.

“A precious life lost and there will be everlasting pain for her family and many friends.”

Leyland was a member of the board of the Friends of Fort George and executive director Amanda Gamble called her death “a shock.”

In their statement, police said officers, the NOTL fire department and Niagara EMS were called to the scene about 1:40 p.m. on Saturday.

“Upon arrival, it was determined an 81-year-old Niagara-on-the-Lake resident who was walking on Queenston Street began to cross the roadway from the east side to the west side,” police said.

“When doing so, she was struck by a 64-year-old cyclist who was travelling south on Queenston Street.”

“Despite lifesaving measures, tragically, she was pronounced deceased after having been transported to a local hospital by paramedics.”

Detectives from the police force’s collision reconstruction unit are leading the investigation with help from detectives from the forensic services unit.

The cause of the collision remains under investigation, police said.

Police encouraged witnesses and motorists who were in the area with an operational dash-camera are encouraged to review their footage and contact the lead detective at 905-688-4111, option 3, badge 1009206 with any relevant information.