Islington Tribune - News: Pedestrians

Publications by New Journal Enterprises

Home

Archive

Competition

Islington Tribune - by ROISIN GADELRAB
Published: 7 September 2007

Pedestrians alerted over lorry ‘blind spot’ dangers

Inquest told pensioner died crossing in slow-moving traffic

TRAFFIC experts are warning of the dangers of crossing in front of lorries moving slowly in traffic queues after a pedestrian was crushed under an 18-tonne truck in Holloway.
Retired electrical engineer Frank Muller, 78, was crossing between traffic in Holloway Road in July last year when he was hit by the lorry carrying 16 tonnes of pipes, St Pancras Coroner’s Court heard yesterday (Thursday).
Mr Muller, of Pollards Close, Holloway, had walked into lorry driver Michael Dickenson’s blind spot.
Now, senior investigating officer Sergeant Phil Clare has spoken of the dangers – particularly to older people – of crossing in front of heavy goods vehicles.
Sgt Clare told the inquest: “Unfortunately, this is one of the more common accidents. You get a few of these a year – slow-moving traffic, walking in the path of a HGV, speed is not an issue.”
Speaking after the inquest, he said: “Predominantly older people are crossing in front of lorries. The driver thinks he’s got a clear road and moves forward – younger people can just jump out of the way.
“Mr Muller was right in front of the lorry. If you go and stand at the side or front of a lorry there are so many places where you can’t see the mirror and if you can’t see the mirror they can’t see you.
“I would advise pedestrians and lorry drivers to be aware of this and to be more cautious.”
Mr Muller had been diagnosed a year earlier as suffering from high blood pressure, which would sometimes affect his eyesight.
Lorry driver Mr Dickenson told the inquest he started to move forward at between 5-10mph after carrying out his usual mirror checks.
“After no more than a couple of metres I felt a bump,” he said. “It felt like it was coming from the nearside.
“I looked in the mirrors, saw nothing so moved on. I felt another bump and heard someone shout.”
He stopped immediately to discover Mr Muller had fallen under the vehicle.
Mr Dickenson told the inquest: “All large vehicles have lots of blind spots. The major spots are the areas in front of the vehicle and the passenger side.” Dr Freddie Patel gave the cause of death as multiple injuries.
Verdict: accident.

Comment on this article.
(You must supply your full name and email address for your comment to be published)

Name:

Email:

Comment:

Your Comments: