Fresh calls for crossing after tragedy on A38
By Western Daily Press | Wednesday, June 13, 2012, 09:00
Families living along the busy Somerset road where a young pedestrian died say a pedestrian crossing is needed urgently at the site, close to a convenience store.
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Witness Martin Gibbons, pictured right, told how he turned saw Mr O'Neill, pictured bottom left, fly through the air. 'Something made me turn round, I suppose it was a noise, and I saw a bloke rolling up the windscreen of a car. The windscreen itself was smashed. Then he went about three feet into the air above the car and came down onto the ground.' Chez Chilcott, 22, pictured top, works in the Bristol Road News store and called the emergency services. Yesterday she said: 'I think a pedestrian crossing would be helpful here. There is one at the other end of the road and one near the Cross Rifles pub, but a crossing, or a speed camera, would be a help'
The 29-year-old victim of the collision on the A38 Bristol Road in Bridgwater was named by police yesterday as Thomas O'Neill.
Mr O'Neill, of nearby Bath Road, was taken to Musgrove Park Hospital, Taunton, with serious head injuries after being involved in a collision with a car at 9.40pm on Saturday, but his life could not be saved. He had just left the Bristol Road News store when the collision took place. Witness Martin Gibbons, 25, described how he "flew through the air".
Floral tributes were taped to a telegraph pole close to the scene of the tragedy yesterday. Mr O'Neill's brother, Martin, 35, described him as a "gentle man" and said a pedestrian crossing at the site could help others.
The incident brought traffic, including a bus, to a halt and bus passenger Dave Stephenson, a first-aider rushed to Mr O'Neill's aid.
Two men, aged 27 and 32, from the Bridgwater area have been arrested on suspicion of dangerous driving. They have been released on police bail, pending further enquiries.
Police would like to hear from anyone who was in Bristol Road at the time of the incident who may have information which could help.
Anyone who can help should call the collision investigation unit on the force number 101.
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