A recently built zebra crossing on Hay Lane in Grange Park was the site of a road traffic accident this morning.
Wiltshire Police issued a short statement, pending further information to be supplied, saying: "We were called just before 8am by the ambulance service after a 14-year-old boy was hit by a Ford Focus in Sleaford Close. The road was blocked as a result and closures were put in place at the roundabout at Grange Park Way and Hay Lane. The boy was taken to hospital by ambulance; the extent of his injuries is unknown."
Although the police statement says the accident took place in Sleaford Close, it actually took place on Hay Lane which is adjacent. Witnesses say a boy ran across the road via the zebra crossing and was hit by a car. Somebody who saw what happened say the boy 'flew into the air.' However, early reports suggest his injuries were relatively minor.
The lad apparently was due to take the bus to Royal Wootton Bassett Academy and was on his way to meet other students waiting at the bus stop on the other side of the road. At 8am it was raining and visibility was not good.
Grange Park mum Tracey Boxall, who was pleased in June when work on installing the zebra crossing was completed, said she heard the sirens from her home. "When I heard what had happened I was absolutely devastated that the safe crossing that parents campaigned for has become the site of an accident.
"I don't know the circumstances of this incident, but my thoughts go out to the lad who was knocked down and his parents, and also to the driver of the car. It will be very upsetting for all concerned.
"The parents who signed petitions and pressed councillors to provide safe pedestrian access to and from Tregoze Primary School had become really worried that, one day, there would be something like this on Hay Lane. There have been repeated calls for a crossing over the last 25 years."
She added that over the last few years the road has become much busier because of people driving children to the primary school as well as Lydiard Park Academy close-by. Also, as congestion in other parts of West Swindon has risen, more and more drivers have been trying to find their way round the blockages, including using Hay Lane.
"I think we have to do more to make the road less busy and safer; perhaps we should be consider a campaign to turn that stretch of Hay Lane into a 20mph zone," Tracey said.
Your Comments
Hay lane accident. We were told that this crossing was going to be raised to help slow traffic but they didn't. We were told there would be signs advising school and speed limit reduced, still was not done. Great to have a crossing but not enough done to make it safe, now it has proved this!!!!
Posted: 21 November 2016, 9.57PM by: concerned
Some of my friends' children were there, who have children who know the boy who was hit, and they said nothing about running. They supposedly said that he was walking when he was hit.
Posted: 23 November 2016, 4.49PM by: N/A
He's now home after 12 days in hospital, 3 broken bones in foot, broken ankle, bronken nose and broken vertebrae which needed surgery. Hardly minor injuries. He was very lucky not to have any spinal cord damage.
Posted: 3 December 2016, 4.48PM by: Leon
The story was written on the day from very scant information, and very little more has been available from the police. Obviously this accident, which thankfully was not a great deal worse, is a matter of community concern and we are proposing to include an article in the January Link magazine. If anybody is willing to help by giving a more complete picture - and perhaps put us in touch with the boy's family - please call Roger Ogle on Ben Fitzgerald on 01793 744677. Thanks
Posted: 5 December 2016, 12.59PM by: Roger Ogle
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