|
|
 |
| |
Scene of accident |
Crossing victim stepped in front of lorry
A MACHINIST was hit by an 18-tonne lorry while shopping in Angel for a picture frame to hold a school photograph of her niece’s children, an inquest heard yesterday (Thursday).
Ha Nu Tran, 60, originally from Vietnam, died after being struck by the northbound truck in Upper Street, opposite the Mall, as she stepped out on a pedestrian crossing in November last year.
Traffic experts told the St Pancras inquest she stepped in front of the truck – probably as it started moving – and tried to cross when the light was at green for traffic.
Witnesses described how it was busy that day and traffic and pedestrians were fighting for right of way at the crossing. They said driver Adrian Chapman had even less chance of spotting Ms Tran than others because she was little more than 4ft 6in and did not reach the bottom of the lorry’s windscreen.
She was caught under the left wheel on the non-driver’s side of the truck, which was described at the inquest as a blindspot. Ms Tran, who lived in Ecclesbourne Road, Canonbury, was operated on in the street before being taken to Royal London Hospital in Whitechapel, where she died three hours later.
An emotional Mr Chapman told Ms Tran’s family: “I’m so sorry” as he passed them in court, adding “I didn’t see her.”
The dead woman’s niece tearfully told the inquest her aunt had looked after her daughters the weekend before her death.
“That weekend I gave her a school photo of my children,” said An Rigden. “A witness said in her trolley… she’d bought frames for the photos of my children.”
Collision investigator PC Peter Loader said that even if Mr Chapman had a mirror pointing downwards, as newer vehicles are required by law to have, Ms Tran probably set off after he started to move and would never have been spotted in time.
“Ms Tran should have used the crossing correctly and waited for the green man,” he said.
Coroner Dr Andrew Reid said: “The driver had the right of way and unfortunately he did not see her.”
Verdict: accidental death.
|
 |
|
|
|
|
| |
| |
|
|
|
