Possible Clues:

• With a bit left out, died all twisted up at last
• Skipped
• The French turned, left out a vowel and died all twisted
• Indeed, just over fifty ran together
• The start of 7 down, indeed!
• Just over fifty gets left out in one of 15 across
• Cover in back river cut off
• With a bit cut out, died at last all twisted
• Did this get the eel shortened?
• Dropped (e.g. vowel)