Crash mum’s spinal injury
A mum was left with a fractured spine after being hit by a car on a zebra crossing.
Trish Simpson was on her way to work at The Galleries, in Washington, when she was hit by a car on a zebra crossing connecting to the shopping centre.
The 53-year-old was using the crossing at 11.50am on Saturday, April 1, when a car failed to see her and struck her right side.
The mum-of-three was taken to Queen Elizabeth Hospital in Gateshead, where she was diagnosed with a fractured spine.
Now recovering at home in Lambton, Washington , Mrs Simpson hopes to raise awareness of the dangers of using the crossing, which see feels is not clear to drivers.
She said: “I work in the Galleries and I was just using the zebra crossing on my way to work when I was hit by a car.
“The next thing I knew there was a thud and I realised I that I had been hit.
“The driver got out and was so apologetic, his wife even held my hand until the ambulance got there.
“I suffered a fracture to my spine and I am in absolute agony.
Mrs Simpson now faces weeks of rest to recover after her injury and hopes her experience may make people more aware when using it.
She feels large bushes on either side of it may obscure pedestrians from view and hopes that those who manage the crossing may consider a pelican crossing.
She added: “I was off for 14 weeks on the sick prior to it happening and just returning to work when this happened.
“I just want to make people aware that drivers can’t always see you using the crossing. I could have died.
“It’s an accident waiting to happen.”
David McNee, centre manager of the Galleries, said ““We invest in external auditing of the grounds on a regular basis to ensure all safety matters are pinpointed and resolved and will continue to review and make improvements where appropriate.”