An elderly woman was rushed into hospital after being hit by a lorry last night in Highbury Corner.
The woman, in her 60s, sustained serious injuries, including a collapsed lung and broken leg and ribs in the accident opposite McDonald’s just after 6pm.
She was taken as a priority to the Royal London hospital, in a stable condition with non-life threatening injuries.
Bystander Reese Hanson, 42, was appalled by the accident. “It was horrible seeing her on the floor, the emergency services got here promptly and treated her well. But it was just an unneeded accident that could easily have been avoided if more time was given to cross.”
There were no arrests, but the white Scania lorry involved in the collision was detained. Upper Street, Highbury Corner, Canonbury Road, Canonbury Square, and Islington Park Street were all corned off for several hours by the police whilst the woman was treated on the spot by paramedics. Buses 43, 329 and 271 were heavily delayed. The road has now reopened however minor traffic delays are expected on the busy high street.
Local resident Anita Shawari, 20, said that she feels pedestrians and cyclist bring dangers upon themselves by ‘walking and cycling without a care in the world’.
She said: “They pay no mind to zebra crossings and think they own the road.”
Ms Shawari went onto say that: “people should be more careful especially OAPs who need more time to cross the road.”
Caroline Russell, who chairs pressure group Islington Living Streets has previously been known to debate the issue of road safety within the Borough. In May 2012 she argued that a new lorry ban behind the Emirates Staidum and around Drayton Park wasn’t going to be effective.
She said: “Even with the signs and promised CCTV cameras, I don’t think this scheme has been properly thought out.
She was right as within its first week it had been in the scene of several near misses involving cars.
She was quoted this week again arguing that a successful lorry ban should be introduced after the collision at Highbury Corner.
She said: “We are calling for a ban on these massive lorries because they have no place in a heavily built-up city”.
With an increase of pedestrian causalities, London boroughs have drafted plans to tackle this danger.
Islington aims to introduce 20mph speed limits on mayoral-controlled streets where people live, work and shop and support, to inspire and encourage boroughs to make 20mph the default limit on their streets.
In 2011, 77 pedestrians were killed and 903 seriously injured on London’s streets.
The accident happened at an infamous black spot.
Local resident James Harden, 24, said: “This area is known for accidents, people race around without a care in the world.”
Police are appealing for any witnesses to come forward or to contact the local police station at 020 7230 1212
