MAJOR SAFETY REVIEW LAUNCHED AFTER YOUNG GIRL STRUCK ON PIMPAMA ROAD

COUNCIL has launched a major review of safety at a busy Pimpama street after a nine-year-old girl was struck by a car while making her way to school on Friday morning.

The Pimpama State Primary College student suffered a serious head injury when hit at the corner of Dixon Drive and Augusta Boulevard.

Queensland Ambulance Service operations supervisor Jayney Sheaman said the girl was “extremely lucky” to survive.

Division 1 councillor Mark Hammel (pictured) said he was saddened to hear about the accident and that the city had launched a major safety review in response.

“My thoughts are with the young girl, her family and the school community,” Cr Hammel said.

“In response to this accident we are commencing a full safety review of the intersection with specific attention to pedestrian safety.”

A petition calling for traffic lights to be installed at the junction was launched on Monday evening and already had been signed by almost 500 people.

Cr Hammel said that was one of the options the review would consider.

“Local residents have made contact with me to suggest traffic lights or pedestrian crossings are needed at this location and this is what the safety review will consider, amongst other options.

“Following community feedback on speeding, the City had previously constructed a concrete traffic island to stop people cutting the corner onto Augusta Boulevard, as well as installing a speed-awareness device almost directly across from this intersection.”

In addition to Pimpama State Primary College, which has 773 students, Dixon Drive is also the location of Pimpama State Secondary College, which has 1607 students enrolled.

A busy childcare centre is located alongside the two schools.

Responding to the petition, resident Mary Comrie said it was often difficult to find a safe place to cross the road. “We cross Dixon Dr to access one of the kindys,” Ms Comrie said. “We sometimes have to wait five minutes for a safe space to cross, which is fine. But I always worry young kids might take a risk to cross if they’re running late to school.

“There should be multiple places to cross as this road is long and busy with cars. Often speeding cars.”

A police investigation into Friday’s accident is ongoing.

The young victim is believed to be recovering well at Gold Coast University Hospital.