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Man critical after collision in Poole (From Bournemouth Echo)
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A pensioner is fighting for his life after an accident in Poole
8:45am Sunday 28th October 2012 in News By Arron Hendy
Man critical after collision in Poole
A 77-YEAR-OLD is fighting for his life in hospital after being injured as he crossed the road.
John Fletcher had been watching rugby at the Queen Mary pub in Poole and was making his way across West Street in the old town area.
Landlord Mick Fitzpatrick rushed outside to help after hearing the collision.
He is now calling for a crossing to be put in, saying it was “an accident waiting to happen”.
An off-duty police officer was first to help the pensioner before paramedics arrived.
Mick said: “I was upstairs when I heard it and when I went outside John was lying on the floor.
“He had blood coming from his head and a broken leg and the off-duty policeman looked like he was putting him in the recovery position.
“The paramedics put a brace on his neck.”
West Street was closed for several hours after the incident at the junction with New Orchard on Saturday evening.
Investigators examined the scene and spoke to the driver of the car involved before the road was opened after midnight.
Mr Fletcher suffered life threatening injuries and after being taken to Poole was then transferred to Southampton hospital in a critical condition.
The junction was changed last year as part of preparations for the opening of Poole’s new Twin Sails Bridge and locals are angry that a pedestrian crossing was not put in.
“I’ve had a discussion with John about how they should have a crossing,” Mick added.
He added: “I knew an accident was going to happen and it would take someone getting knocked down or killed for them to actually do something.
“Another of my locals is sometimes too scared to cross.”
Sarah Cullen, barmaid at the pub, said Mr Fletcher is a former council architect who made all new visitors to the pub welcome.
“He’s an absolutely lovely man,” she said.
“He would have had two pints watching the rugby.”
Mr Fletcher’s wife Sue called the pub later from their Market Street home and was told of the news.
Lee Wilson, 44, who lives on West Street, also called for a pedestrian crossing.
“I came back on Saturday and the road was shut off,” he said.
“John’s one of those guys who would do anything for anyone and talk to anyone.
“I hope he’s OK.”
A Dorset Police spokesman said the 77-year-old man was struck by a green Ford Focus being driven by a 47-year-old man from Poole.
There no were no arrests at the scene.
Any witnesses or anyone with information is urged to contact Dorset Police on 101.
Comments(44)
Your reporter in spain
says...
10:36am Sun 28 Oct 12
mcjsmith wrote:48 & 60 mph ...... how could you possibly know that unless you was driving the vehicle or had a radar gun . im not saying that anyone should be speeding but surely you dont have to quote speeds that you cant qualify .
I live in West Street and I don't understand why the council didn't put a pedestrian crossing in when they created the new road network. People take there lives in there hands crossing this road. I have personally seen cars doing forty eight miles per hour on West Street but a neighbour saw a motorbike doing sixty miles per hour. If nothing is done there will be more accidents like this.
cars often travel too fast everywhere its not confined to West street ,with no concerns for the victims such as this old chap ,surely there is cctv in that area that will confirm what exactly happened ,it may not have anything to do with speed , just an unfortunate accident , lets hope it is not a fatality
mmmmmmm
says...
10:48am Sun 28 Oct 12
mmmmmmm
says...
11:05am Sun 28 Oct 12
It's just part of the war on the motorist,btw all best wishes the injured party.
alasdair1967
says...
11:08am Sun 28 Oct 12
Your reporter in spain wrote:There is a speed device at the end of west street that flashes up the approaching vehicles speed if over 30mph !
mcjsmith wrote:48 & 60 mph ...... how could you possibly know that unless you was driving the vehicle or had a radar gun . im not saying that anyone should be speeding but surely you dont have to quote speeds that you cant qualify .
I live in West Street and I don't understand why the council didn't put a pedestrian crossing in when they created the new road network. People take there lives in there hands crossing this road. I have personally seen cars doing forty eight miles per hour on West Street but a neighbour saw a motorbike doing sixty miles per hour. If nothing is done there will be more accidents like this.
cars often travel too fast everywhere its not confined to West street ,with no concerns for the victims such as this old chap ,surely there is cctv in that area that will confirm what exactly happened ,it may not have anything to do with speed , just an unfortunate accident , lets hope it is not a fatality
alasdair1967
says...
11:12am Sun 28 Oct 12
Ebb Tide
says...
12:03pm Sun 28 Oct 12
However, it is to be hoped that the current review of our gyratory traffic routes will produce a better solution to the needs of people moving about in Poole.
The rabbits that lived at Canford Bottom couldn't move off their island but now have no problems because they have been eliminated. That is not the 'better solution' that I would expect, notwithstanding the implications of the contribution from 'mmmmmmm' !!
retry69
says...
12:06pm Sun 28 Oct 12
Your reporter in spain
says...
12:30pm Sun 28 Oct 12
mmmmmmm wrote:old people are not automatically vunerable,he could have been out jogging ,he might be fitter than a butchers dog ,from the information in the story you didnt bother to read you have assumed an awful lot
I know he was pedestrianing,I said as a vulnerable road user.
i think its an insult to the victim to make the assumptions that you have ,i cant believe that your comments are meant to be taken seriously
mmmmmmm
says...
12:37pm Sun 28 Oct 12
Whatever you say,boss.
mcjsmith
says...
12:42pm Sun 28 Oct 12
Thank you for pointing out my error of not clarifying to the stupid people how I know a car is travelling at 48 miles an hour without following them.
No there are not any CCTV devices in West Street.
The council did monitor the new junction for 24 hours once but what did they do with the data they collected?
To that point - What is the speed device doing? Are they collecting any data from it and if so what are they doing with it?
Your reporter in spain
says...
1:27pm Sun 28 Oct 12
mmmmmmm wrote:youre in deep enough , stop digging
So compared to a motorist, a pedestrian is not vulnerable? Whatever you say,boss.
Ebb Tide
says...
4:01pm Sun 28 Oct 12
retry69 wrote:Is there a view being held that some people are not vulnerable ?
mmmmmmm wrote:Refer to my earlier comment 12.06 pm
So you've got Mike Tyson running headlong towards a pensioner in a car going the same speed,which one is vulnerable?
I understand we all bleed !
Relative vulnerability seems a sterile concept that could lead to carelessness by the less vulnerable. Our society depends upon mutual support and thoughtfulness - I hope !
MMM444
says...
4:46pm Sun 28 Oct 12
alasdair1967 wrote:So there's a speed device that flashes up speed over 30mph in west st, and exactly where is that then, cos im b-------d if ive seen it, since they made this oneway passed the queen mary pub the road has become a rat race, all going flat out to get over that stupid new bridge before it breaks down again, speed humps are the only answer
Your reporter in spain wrote:There is a speed device at the end of west street that flashes up the approaching vehicles speed if over 30mph !
mcjsmith wrote:48 & 60 mph ...... how could you possibly know that unless you was driving the vehicle or had a radar gun . im not saying that anyone should be speeding but surely you dont have to quote speeds that you cant qualify .
I live in West Street and I don't understand why the council didn't put a pedestrian crossing in when they created the new road network. People take there lives in there hands crossing this road. I have personally seen cars doing forty eight miles per hour on West Street but a neighbour saw a motorbike doing sixty miles per hour. If nothing is done there will be more accidents like this.
cars often travel too fast everywhere its not confined to West street ,with no concerns for the victims such as this old chap ,surely there is cctv in that area that will confirm what exactly happened ,it may not have anything to do with speed , just an unfortunate accident , lets hope it is not a fatality
alasdair1967
says...
4:59pm Sun 28 Oct 12
Bulley
says...
6:46pm Sun 28 Oct 12
retry69
says...
7:15pm Sun 28 Oct 12
Bulley wrote:A very unpleasant experience for you which will probably stay with you some time,i do feel for you
I am not from the area and drove to Poole for a wedding last night - I had the unfortunate pleasure of witnessing this accident last night with my wife and kids - we were sat at the traffic lights when I saw the poor gentleman get knocked over - personally, I have never seen someone be knocked over like this - it really was quite horrendous, and I cant get it off of my mind - I gave my account to the police last night so wont share that information, but suffice to say, I hope the gentleman survives - it looked horrific however, my thoughts are very much with him tonight.
hamworthygirl
says...
6:40am Mon 29 Oct 12
retry69 wrote:My thoughts also
First thoughts are with the man and his family second thoughts is why accidents bring out the childish irresponsible remarks of regular readers surely there are cartoons on to occupy their minds.
mmmmmmm
says...
7:31am Mon 29 Oct 12
This is the issue,but speed bumps are not the only answer,one part of the solution is for motorists to drive with much more consideration for other, more vulnerable, road users.
Another would be sensible transport policies..
retry69
says...
8:48am Mon 29 Oct 12
mmmmmmm wrote:Are you actually reading the same articles as the rest of us or is it more of a concern the road layout than someones life?
since they made this oneway passed the queen mary pub the road has become a rat race, all going flat out to get over that stupid new bridge before it breaks down again, speed humps are the only answer.
This is the issue,but speed bumps are not the only answer,one part of the solution is for motorists to drive with much more consideration for other, more vulnerable, road users.
Another would be sensible transport policies..
mmmmmmm
says...
9:04am Mon 29 Oct 12
I know John,I've sailed with him so don't give me your jibber-jabber.
downmoor-ch63
says...
9:06am Mon 29 Oct 12
alasdair1967 wrote:I have noted that only 10 of you are wishing this gentleman a speedy recovery, and a little comfort, for his wife and family. you should be ashamed of yourselves,is this the England of today?, I hope not!.
My thoughts are with the pedestrian and family ,however this accident highlights the vulnerability of pooles traffic network I was caught up in the aftermath of this accident, the police had closed the road ,imagine if this accident had happened at 3 pm on Friday afternoon with all vehicles having to use west street to access the bridges the town would have come to a total standstill
Arthur Maureen
says...
9:31am Mon 29 Oct 12
retry69
says...
9:56am Mon 29 Oct 12
mmmmmmm wrote:NO EXCUSE
John's life has been put at risk by retarded road layout.
I know John,I've sailed with him so don't give me your jibber-jabber.
live-and-let-live
says...
10:05am Mon 29 Oct 12
im also quite shocked at some of the comments here. a man has been seriously hurt and we read that he was inappropriately dressed by not wearing hi-viz and flashing lights etc. not funny
alasdair1967
says...
10:05am Mon 29 Oct 12
downmoor-ch63 wrote:Read my first sentence !
alasdair1967 wrote:I have noted that only 10 of you are wishing this gentleman a speedy recovery, and a little comfort, for his wife and family. you should be ashamed of yourselves,is this the England of today?, I hope not!.
My thoughts are with the pedestrian and family ,however this accident highlights the vulnerability of pooles traffic network I was caught up in the aftermath of this accident, the police had closed the road ,imagine if this accident had happened at 3 pm on Friday afternoon with all vehicles having to use west street to access the bridges the town would have come to a total standstill
mmmmmmm
says...
10:31am Mon 29 Oct 12
It's drivers who are the problem.
Heal well John,best to all who love him.
downmoor-ch63
says...
10:48am Mon 29 Oct 12
alasdair1967 wrote:I did alasdair1967, and I think you and are two of the few, am I still not right?.
downmoor-ch63 wrote:Read my first sentence !
alasdair1967 wrote:I have noted that only 10 of you are wishing this gentleman a speedy recovery, and a little comfort, for his wife and family. you should be ashamed of yourselves,is this the England of today?, I hope not!.
My thoughts are with the pedestrian and family ,however this accident highlights the vulnerability of pooles traffic network I was caught up in the aftermath of this accident, the police had closed the road ,imagine if this accident had happened at 3 pm on Friday afternoon with all vehicles having to use west street to access the bridges the town would have come to a total standstill
downmoor-ch63
says...
10:59am Mon 29 Oct 12
downmoor-ch63 wrote:Sorry alastair1967 please read between the lines, there should be an I between and and are, SORRY!.
alasdair1967 wrote:I did alasdair1967, and I think you and are two of the few, am I still not right?.
downmoor-ch63 wrote:Read my first sentence !
alasdair1967 wrote:I have noted that only 10 of you are wishing this gentleman a speedy recovery, and a little comfort, for his wife and family. you should be ashamed of yourselves,is this the England of today?, I hope not!.
My thoughts are with the pedestrian and family ,however this accident highlights the vulnerability of pooles traffic network I was caught up in the aftermath of this accident, the police had closed the road ,imagine if this accident had happened at 3 pm on Friday afternoon with all vehicles having to use west street to access the bridges the town would have come to a total standstill
Selfidge
says...
11:10am Mon 29 Oct 12
loobarooo
says...
12:02pm Mon 29 Oct 12
Adrian XX
says...
12:14pm Mon 29 Oct 12
alasdair1967
says...
12:14pm Mon 29 Oct 12
Ebb Tide
says...
12:16pm Mon 29 Oct 12
loobarooo wrote:Of course. We must also insist that the long overdue traffic system review is completed soon and appropriate action taken promptly.
Poor John, my thoughts are with him, his wife and his children. As much as I agree the road should be made safer perhaps we should all focus on John getting better first.
Further delays in such an important matter should not be tolerated by any elector - even if existing Councillors cannot decide to act in a constructive manner to optimise public health and safety !
Letcommonsenseprevail
says...
12:39pm Mon 29 Oct 12
cheeriedriteup
says...
12:46pm Mon 29 Oct 12
mmmmmmm wrote:Speed bumps also slow down emergency vehicles, I would like to see traffic lights on roads like this which are triggered by sensor pads in the road, so if the speed limit is exceeded this triggers the lights to turn to red, this is used in securities and works, stick a camera on the lights to flash anyone jumping the red lights, set the limit to 20 mph which is ample along this stretch this will flow the local bus drivers down as well!
since they made this oneway passed the queen mary pub the road has become a rat race, all going flat out to get over that stupid new bridge before it breaks down again, speed humps are the only answer. This is the issue,but speed bumps are not the only answer,one part of the solution is for motorists to drive with much more consideration for other, more vulnerable, road users. Another would be sensible transport policies..
FNS-man
says...
1:25pm Mon 29 Oct 12
retry69 wrote:Retry, I think the point is that he has been injured due to the road layout.
mmmmmmm wrote: since they made this oneway passed the queen mary pub the road has become a rat race, all going flat out to get over that stupid new bridge before it breaks down again, speed humps are the only answer. This is the issue,but speed bumps are not the only answer,one part of the solution is for motorists to drive with much more consideration for other, more vulnerable, road users. Another would be sensible transport policies..Are you actually reading the same articles as the rest of us or is it more of a concern the road layout than someones life?
djkent
says...
4:06pm Mon 29 Oct 12
alasdair1967
says...
7:57pm Mon 29 Oct 12
djkent wrote:Why was there no thought process during the planning stage and the consequent building phase to install a pelican crossing ,there is a residential terrace that requires said crossing and if my memory serves me right I recall a pelican crossing being in place prior to the new road layout
stupid tory council dont think about roads nearby when they open new bridge and change road layouts
benjamin
says...
9:54am Tue 30 Oct 12
Ebb Tide
says...
10:08am Tue 30 Oct 12
alasdair1967 wrote:No doubt the question could be answered by a quick audit process if the Councillors (particularly those with 'scrutiny' responsibilities) sought a suitable report from audit.
djkent wrote:Why was there no thought process during the planning stage and the consequent building phase to install a pelican crossing ,there is a residential terrace that requires said crossing and if my memory serves me right I recall a pelican crossing being in place prior to the new road layout
stupid tory council dont think about roads nearby when they open new bridge and change road layouts
Perhaps the current review will save any such effort but we certainly do not want any more adjustments to our traffic systems that are created by a death or serious injury - my uncle has a roundabout marking the place where he died after being knocked off his bike some fifty years ago ! Can we not learn ???
alasdair1967
says...
2:07pm Tue 30 Oct 12
alasdair1967
says...
5:52pm Tue 30 Oct 12
Ebb Tide wrote:It is an extremely sad reflection on society for changes to be made as a result of a critical injury and in yours and others sad case a death I honestly don't think the planners have taken any time to assess the what if scenario today traffic mayhem due to an accident on holes bay at 430 pm imagine if the accident we where commenting on happened at the same time absolutely no way into ham worthy at all !
alasdair1967 wrote:No doubt the question could be answered by a quick audit process if the Councillors (particularly those with 'scrutiny' responsibilities) sought a suitable report from audit.
djkent wrote:Why was there no thought process during the planning stage and the consequent building phase to install a pelican crossing ,there is a residential terrace that requires said crossing and if my memory serves me right I recall a pelican crossing being in place prior to the new road layout
stupid tory council dont think about roads nearby when they open new bridge and change road layouts
Perhaps the current review will save any such effort but we certainly do not want any more adjustments to our traffic systems that are created by a death or serious injury - my uncle has a roundabout marking the place where he died after being knocked off his bike some fifty years ago ! Can we not learn ???
MJPJC
says...
6:10pm Tue 30 Oct 12
MMM444 wrote:idiot
alasdair1967 wrote:So there's a speed device that flashes up speed over 30mph in west st, and exactly where is that then, cos im b-------d if ive seen it, since they made this oneway passed the queen mary pub the road has become a rat race, all going flat out to get over that stupid new bridge before it breaks down again, speed humps are the only answer
Your reporter in spain wrote:There is a speed device at the end of west street that flashes up the approaching vehicles speed if over 30mph !
mcjsmith wrote:48 & 60 mph ...... how could you possibly know that unless you was driving the vehicle or had a radar gun . im not saying that anyone should be speeding but surely you dont have to quote speeds that you cant qualify .
I live in West Street and I don't understand why the council didn't put a pedestrian crossing in when they created the new road network. People take there lives in there hands crossing this road. I have personally seen cars doing forty eight miles per hour on West Street but a neighbour saw a motorbike doing sixty miles per hour. If nothing is done there will be more accidents like this.
cars often travel too fast everywhere its not confined to West street ,with no concerns for the victims such as this old chap ,surely there is cctv in that area that will confirm what exactly happened ,it may not have anything to do with speed , just an unfortunate accident , lets hope it is not a fatality
mcjsmith says...
10:17am Sun 28 Oct 12
People take there lives in there hands crossing this road.
I have personally seen cars doing forty eight miles per hour on West Street but a neighbour saw a motorbike doing sixty miles per hour.
If nothing is done there will be more accidents like this.