Another pedestrian hit by bus in Newcastle city centre

The scene of the accident on Blackett Street
By Sophie Doughty | 3 Oct 2013 09:36
Another pedestrian has been hit by a bus in Newcastle city centre, bringing the casualty toll to 10 in 18 months.

The man, who is in his 40s, became the latest victim of the Blackett Street bus black-spot when he was struck by a double-decker yesterday morning.

Police and paramedics were quickly at the scene at junction between Pilgrim Street and Blackett Street. Onlookers watched on as the injured man was rescued from underneath the front of the Stagecoach vehicle, and carried into an ambulance.

He was taken to hospital but his injuries are not thought to be life-threatening. The bus driver was left shaken by the incident.

Stagecoach says its initial investigations have revealed that the bus driver was travelling within the speed limit, and it is thought the pedestrian was using a mobile phone when he was hit. But the incident has once again sparked calls for new safety measures.

Lyn Holmes, who works close to where the incident happened, said she believed buses drive too fast on Blackett Street.


The scene of the accident on Blackett Street

The scene of the accident on Blackett Street

The scene of the accident on Blackett Street

The scene of the accident on Blackett Street

The scene of the accident on Blackett Street



The 52-year-old, from Cullercoats, told the Chronicle: “The buses along here go far too fast. I don’t know how they get away with it and I don’t know how somebody is not killed every day. It’s just ridiculous.”

Police closed off Blackett Street for more than an hour as investigations into the cause of the incident began.

Stagecoach will also carry out its own inquiries.

A spokeswoman confirmed: “We can confirm that there was an incident today in Newcastle when a pedestrian walked out in front of a Stagecoach bus. It is our understanding, from witness statements, that the gentleman was using a mobile phone and walked out from between parked vehicles without looking.

“We are conducting a full investigation and will assist the police with any information they need. The driver is understandably quite shaken but we are pleased that reports so far suggest that the injuries to the pedestrian are not serious.”

The spokeswoman added that speed recording equipment on the bus indicated that it was travelling within the speed limit.

Peter Gray, Newcastle city council’s head of highways, said: “I am sorry to hear about this accident. The city council takes very seriously all traffic accidents which result in personal injury. We analyse information from the police and our own internal procedures to determine the precise causes of the accidents and help develop road safety proposals. We have recently made a number of physical changes to the highway including road narrowing.”

http://www.chroniclelive.co.uk/news/nort...le-6130774