SPEEDING DRIVERS WILL KILL OUR KIDS
Terrified parents tell of fears after child is caught on CCTV being knocked down on rat run:
MUMS are pleading with a council to stop drivers racing at up to 60mph on their street – as they say five of their children have now been run over.
In the latest shocking accident, an eight-yearold boy was hit by a ‘speeding’ car and flung from his bike.
Billy Arrowsmith was rushed to hospital with bruises and grazing and his bike was badly damaged in the incident on Arthur Avenue in Walkden, Salford.
The crash was caught on a neighbour’s CCTV and parents on the residential road have shown the footage to youngsters to warn them about road safety. Billy’s mum, Katherine Smyth, said the schoolboy was badly shaken up after the accident, which happened near to North Walkden primary school.
She fears his injuries could have been much worse and has joined a local campaign to introduce traffic calming measures on the avenue.
The mum-of-two said: “When you see it on the CCTV, it’s awful.
“If he had been out a few seconds later Billy could have been dragged up the street by the car. I think it’s his bike that saved him because it took the brunt of the damage.
“He was really shaken up and upset afterwards – he was in shock.
“There are about 20 kids on the street so I think putting speed bumps down would help slow the cars down.”
Neighbour Nicola Leonard is calling for urgent action following the accident, which she claims is one of five similar accidents in recent years.
The mum-of-four fears the next accident could be fatal and says drivers regularly speed up and down Arthur Avenue, Argyle Avenue and Albert Avenue at up to twice the speed limit. Nicola has contacted Salford council asking for speed bumps and bollards to be installed.
She said: “A car came down here this morning doing about 60mph. I want speed bumps and signs up to say there are kids playing here. At the moment there is nothing.
“A local girl who lives around the corner had her collarbone broken last year. There are cars speeding here every single day. My heart is in my mouth every day – it’s awful.
“If he had hit the front of the car it could have been fatal for Billy.”
GMP said the incident involving Billy at around 7.30pm on July 23 was dealt with as a minor injury. »
‘When you see Billy being hit on the CCTV, it’s awful’