Updated: Wed Mar. 29 2006 6:37:04 PM

CTV.ca News Staff

A simple bicycle accident turned tragic Wednesday morning as a Mississauga man fell from a bridge into a shallow river below.

Motorists on Burnhamthorpe Road reportedly watched in horror as Andrzej Sacawa, 46, toppled over the safety railing of a bridge that crosses the Credit River. The father of two children was riding his bicycle on the sidewalk when he somehow lost control around 10:30 a.m.

Peel Police are investigating how the accident occurred.

From witness reports it is believed the handlebars of Sacawa's bike may have become caught between two of the bridge's metal posts. The impact caused him to lurch forward and tumble over the side of the bridge. Sacawa plunged nearly 150 feet to the river below.

The river was only a few feet deep at the time of the incident.

Paramedics responded to the scene and an air ambulance was brought in to transport Sacawa to hospital for treatment. But there was very little emergency crews could do to help the cyclist. He was pronounced dead at the scene.

Cyclists commonly ride on the Burhamthorpe bridge sidewalk. People who live in the area told said that heavy traffic forces cyclists onto the sidewalk.

"I ride on the road everywhere else, but I wouldn't ride on the road across this bridge," Chris Munnings said. "It's just too narrow."

Some cyclists who spoke with CTV's Jim Junkin said the railing is too low. They believe Sacawa's death could have been prevented if the railing was higher.

Peel Police notified Sacawa's wife and family about the accident this morning. While police are investigating the incident, they say it is being treated as an unfortunate accident.