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Bus death battle goes on for family
Reporter: Janice Barker
Date online: 25 January 2010
A grieving family who are fighting for justice laid flowers at the spot where a mother died when she was hit by a bus three years ago.
The family of Ann Kerridge (56) of Brookfield Avenue, Royton, are devastated that no one has been prosecuted after she was hit while using a pedestrian crossing at Cheapside bus station in Oldham in January, 2007.
Two high risk crossings were later removed and replaced with safer ones. And at Mrs Kerridge’s inquest a year later, Oldham coroner Simon Nelson said the station layout and a blind spot blocking the bus driver’s view both contributed to the accident.
But a Health and Safety Executive investigation found although bus station improvements were needed it did not have enough evidence for a prosecution.
Mrs Kerridge’s daughters Sharon Kerridge and Karen Walker, and Karen’s children Amy (12), Holly (3) and Jake (2), laid flowers at the bus station on Saturday, the anniversary of her death.
Sharon, of Granite Street, Derker, said: “I am still seeing my solicitor and I want the HSE to take someone to court because I really want someone to stand up in court and say it was their fault.
“If I have to pay for it myself I will raise the money.
“My mum had plenty of years left to live, and Saturday was heart breaking for me and my sister and the children.
“At the end of the day two crossings were moved because they were unsafe.
“Two crossings were moved but there is one at the exit near St Mary’s Way which is still unsafe, and this could happen to someone else. It could be a child next time.
“We will not forget and we will not let this be brushed under the carpet.”
Comments
YoungOldhamer - Clearly, you don't use public transport, because if you did, you would know that the way some drivers, drive the bus is bordering on recklessness.
The speed limit for buses travelling through the bus station is 5mph how many drivers adhere to this - VERY FEW.
The same applies to buses travelling down Lord Street - a chicane has had to be installed to slow the drivers down.
MAD4IT please note. I was on the bus when this incident occurred. I do not believe that it was travelling at an inappropriate speed through the bus station. There also has to be a question as to whether or not the lady was crossing with due diligence.
Have Your Say
Sometimes people cannont be prosecuted, it was a unbelieveable and horrible, accident and someone has died prosecuting someone who is not responsible would be extremely unfair, and unjust! But this hasn't been forgotten or brushed under the carpet because improvements have clearly been made.
By YoungOldhamer @ 25/01/2010 16:33:19