The school wants action taken on safety issues around nearby bus stops

The 15-year old boy who was seriously injured after an accident yesterday (Tuesday October 9th) was a Chiswick School student waiting for his bus home.

Christopher Pritchard was with with his friend at the bus stop on the A316 when he was hit by the wing mirror of a lorry and seriously injured. His condition is described as "stable" today.

Chiswick School students and staff are in a state of shock and the Head Teacher Mr. Tony Ryan said they would ask the relevant authorities to look at the safety issues involved.

A statement from Chiswick School said;"Chris and his friend had just finished playing football when they went to wait at the bus stop on the A316 just beyond the school boundary. The road at this point is four lanes wide but without a central reservation dividing the carriageways.

"From his friend’s account it appears that Chris was standing on the curb peering at the oncoming traffic to see if a bus was coming. A white box van approached fast, only centimetres from the curb. The wing mirror hit Chris in the head. The driver did not stop. The noise was so loud that it attracted passers -by who immediately came to help. One was a Chiswick School PE teacher with first aid training. He immediately started giving emergency resuscitation.

"Chris was taken by air ambulance to Whitechapel and we believe was later transferred to Great Ormond Street Hospital where he is being treated for head injuries. His condition is now described as stable and he will be woken from an induced coma in due course."

Chris is described by his friends as ‘A good lad - full of joy and truthful’. He is getting on well at school and is preparing to take his GCSEs next summer.

His friends are being counselled today and are preparing a huge get well card to be signed by Chris’s year and then sent to the hospital. A special Assembly was held today.

Head Teacher Mr. Ryan commented; "It is obviously of great concern to us, that it appears our students are not safe waiting for the bus. We will be reviewing our advice to students on using the bus stops round school in the light of this, but I would urge the relevant authorities to look again at the safety issues resulting from this unfortunate accident.

"In the mean time we are all hoping Chris achieves a speedy recovery and our thoughts are with his family and friends," said Mr. Ryan.

The accident happened at around 4.10pm on the A316 northbound, approximately 100 metres south of the junction with Staveley Road.

The bus-stop is situated on the A316 in front of the cemetary, and there is a speed limit in place along that stretch of road.

The vehicle involved is believed to have been a Daf LF 7.5 tonne lorry, which did not stop at the scene, and headed towards the Hogarth Roundabout and the A4.

It is believed the nearside wing mirror glass is still in place but the outer case will be missing. There were two black nearside wing mirror casings left at the scene.

CCTV image of lorry shortly after incident

Officers from the Hampton Traffic Garage are investigating, led by Detective Sergeant John Hartfree.

DS Hartfree said: "I need to hear from all those who witnessed the incident, and I am also appealing for information from anyone who can recognise the lorry involved or the company logo seen on the side of the lorry in the CCTV still.

"Any witnesses or anyone with any information should call police on 020 8941 9011. To remain anonymous call Crimestoppers on 0800 555 111."

October 10, 2012