Girl, 12, dies in crossing horror

Reporter: ROBBIE MacDONALD, LUCY KENDERDINE & IRAM RAMZAN
Date published: 18 December 2013


A TWELVE-year-old girl was killed and her 11-year-old friend badly injured after being hit by a van on a Milnrow Road, Shaw zebra crossing last night.

The 12-year-old later died in hospital.

The horrific incident follows an inquest last month into the death of a woman in her 60s, hit by a car at the same crossing. The woman’s husband suffered serious injuries.

Yesterday’s accident happened just before 4.30pm.

Both girls were rushed to hospital for treatment to serious injuries, but the older girl’s death as announced just over five hours later

Roads were closed as accident investigators arrived. Crompton Way was closed from the Big Lamp during the evening rush hour. Restrictions were lifted later.

Today the surviving child was said to be badly bruised but expected to recover.

Eyewitnesses said the older girl was trapped under the van after being dragged along the road.

Residents have previously called for a pelican crossing to be erected at what is said to be a notorious accident blackspot. Residents have drawn up a petition on the I Love Shaw website, calling for new safety measures.

The man behind the online petition, pub landlord Tommy Boyce - whose pub overlooks the crossing - said people were devastated by the news. Over 150 people have already signed.

Iltaf Hussain, owner of Taff’s newsagents on Milnrow Road, said: “The little girl was between the bonnet and the wheels. The other girl was lying in the middle of the road. Two or three people were sitting and talking to her. It was a horrible scene; those poor families.”

Last month an inquest heard that Lynn Steele (63) died after being hit by a car as she crossed hand-in-hand with her husband, Raymond (65) in January 2012. Mr Steele was left with life-changing brain injuries. The death was ruled accidental.

Witnesses to yesterday’s accident are asked to call the GMP serious collision investigation unit on 0161 856 4742.