'Mum's lucky to be alive': Family's plea for crossing after nurse run over in Marfleet Avenue

THE family of a woman left in intensive care after being knocked down close to her east Hull home believe she is lucky to be alive.

Janet Wright, 58, suffered a fractured skull, a broken arm and cracked ribs following the horrific collision in Marfleet Avenue, close to Hedon Road, on Friday.

Janet, an auxiliary nurse at Hull Royal Infirmary, remained sedated for more than three days and will not leave hospital for another month.

Her daughter Katie Wright, 32, of Hedon Road, said: "My mum is very lucky to be alive. I am just so relieved she is still with us.

"She is getting better but there were concerns about her head injury initially and whether she would pull through.

"As a family, we have been going through so many emotions. I keep running scenarios of what could have happened in my mind. But we are just happy she is still with us."

Janet was crossing the road to post an anniversary card to her other daughter Wendy when she was struck by the Ford Mondeo, being driven by a 42-year-old man from Nottinghamshire.

It is understood another vehicle slowed to let Janet cross but she did not see the car driving in the outside lane.

The family are now calling for a pedestrian crossing to be installed at the spot where she was knocked down.

Katie said: "Does it really have to take something like this to happen to get something done?

"A crossing should have been put here a long time ago.

"I have written to our MP Karl Turner and we are looking to set up a petition.

"This gives me something to focus on. This has been an accident waiting to happen and we need to do something before there's a fatality.

"People I have spoken to in passing have been backing me up on this."

Her partner Andrew Clark feels it is essential something is done.

He said: "We feel there should be traffic lights there for pedestrians to cross.

"Both as a pedestrian, cyclist and motorist, I have had numerous near-misses along the road.

"When we start a petition, I'm sure everyone around here will sign it.

"There are a lot homes around here, along with shops and a garage.

"There is nowhere else for people to cross. The nearest place is the Marfleet Bridge, which takes you on a mile and a half detour."

Andrew said he was shocked by the extent of Janet's injuries.

He said: "She was hit by the wing mirror which broke her ribs and then she fell, breaking her arm in five places and fracturing her skull which caused massive swelling in her brain.

"She was unrecognisable when we visited her at hospital. She is improving but it will be a long road to recovery."

Janet's next door neighbour Harry Watts is also backing calls for a crossing.

He said: "I have lived around here for about 12 years and I have seen a number of near-misses.

"There definitely needs to be a crossing around here but maybe a bit further up, away from the corner.

"Once there is more industrial development along the docks the traffic along here is only going to get worse.

"There are a lot of elderly people round here who have to cross the road.

"Having traffic lights would certainly calm the traffic down.

"I will certainly be helping the family with the campaign."

East Hull MP Karl Turner is backing the family's call for a pedestrian crossing.

He said: "I have arranged a meeting with the council's transport portfolio holder Martin Mancey for next week and we will invite Katie along.

"I am backing the family and agree there should be a crossing here.

"But it can be difficult as there is legislation governing crossings.

"The council records the number of people crossing the road in a given time. If not enough people cross, they can say no.

"But there are exceptional circumstances and I believe this is one of them.

"There are procedures we have to go through but I am confident we can achieve something."

Hull City Council has confirmed it is looking into the accident and whether anything can be done.

Gary Horth, transport development team manager, said: "We investigate all accidents reported to us by the emergency services to establish the cause and if any remedial action can be taken to reduce future incidents."

The council also confirmed any petitions received in relation to road safety will go to the customer feedback team and will then go to the local area committee for consideration.