Schoolchildren on bus in fatal crash
SCHOOLCHILDREN watched on in horror as a man was fatally struck by a bus in Southport town centre.
The man died after being hit by an Arriva service, on Lord Street, at around 8.10am on Monday, as the main road was packed with commuters.
Police, fire and ambulance services all sent vehicles to the scene, where the man was pronounced dead.
Although not a designated school bus, the vehicle was filled with a number of children travelling to Birkdale High School and, according to one witness, several of the pupils gave statements to the police following the accident.
The Visiter also understands that Birkdale High School head teacher Gil Bourgade attended to offer support to the affected pupils.
Readers have been quick to send their condolences to the deceased man’s family and friends, as well as to express concern for others affected by the harrowing incident.
Simon John Moorhouse said: “So very sad to hear that a man got hit by a bus. RIP. Think about his family. I hope the children and the driver are being supported.
“It’s horrifying, I hope the children are ok.”
Val York said: “Dreadful news. Must feel for his family and also the poor bus driver.”
Wendy Telfer added: “My condolences to his family, I hope the children and the driver are being supported,” and Catherine Davidson wrote: “So sad rip to this man and thinking of his family at this sad time xx.”
A police spokesman said: “Police, Merseyside Fire and Rescue Service and the North West Ambulance Service attended and the man was sadly pronounced dead at the scene.”
An Arriva spokesperson said: “Arriva are assisting Merseyside police fully, with their ongoing investigation.”
YOBS have left a trail of destruction in Southport after several reports of people smashing windows and car windscreen.
On Saturday night a Marshside lady was horrified to find her one-yearold daughter’s pram and car seat covered in glass after her car back window was smashed in on her own driveway.
The same night, a lady on Elswick Drive in Marshside had her front car windscreen smashed on her driveway with a metal bar being left in her neighbour’s garden.
Speaking in the CrimeWatch Southport Facebook Group, several people commented with similar experiences with incidents in Coyford Drive and Larkfield Lane.
One person wrote: “My mum lives on one of the bungalows and her mini bus got smashed and her next door neighbour’s door got kicked by them all she now has cameras.”
Another said: “I was driving home from work down Marshside Road and a group of kids were throwing stuff at cars and jumping out on the road forcing people to slam on.”
Another poster wrote: “My Nan lives in one of the bungalows on Elswick Road, I went to see her the other day and someone had thrown apples at her window! It frightens her!”
Police have begun to tackle the behaviour and even spent time bagging up fallen apples so they couldn’t be thrown at properties. They have urged the community to pick up any fallen fruit they may have from trees in their garden.
Officers from the Southport Local Policing Team based at Southport Police station visited some of the victims of the recent criminal damage and antisocial behaviour in the Marshside and Crossens areas on Tuesday night.
They removed some offensive graffiti and delivered letters to the parents of two local boys who have been involved in some of the anti-social behaviour.
A Sefton Police spokesman said: “This is not to be seen as the full response to the issues. It is part of the anti-social behaviour response, which escalates if the behaviour continues.
“Where incidents of crime take place such as damage to cars etc, these incidents must always be reported on 999, or 101.”
Police are also doing letter-drops in key areas affected by the issues to see if other residents have been affected who may have not contacted police yet.
HAVE you been affected? Please call Southport Visiter reporter Catherine MacKinlay on 0151 472 2444 or email her at catherine.mackinlay@ reachplc.com