The Brook Green teenager who was seriously injured when he was hit by a lorry while he waited at a bus stop near Chiswick School, is said to be improving in hospital.

Christopher Pritchard, 15 had been in a medically induced coma since being rushed in with severe head injuries last Tuesday. A 47-year old man is on bail after being arrested in East Sheen in connection with the accident.

Christopher is now breathing on his own, and his family are expecting that he will be transferred from Great Ormond Street to another hospital where doctors will continue to monitor his head injuries.

His mother Lisa thanked members of the public for their messages of support, as she continues to maintain a vigil by his bedside.

" Thank you everyone for your lovely, warm, kind messages. I am overwhelmed," she said.

The accident happened on Tuesday when Christopher was waiting for his bus home to Hammersmith from Chiswick School on Burlington Lane. He was standing with a friend at a bus stop when he was hit by the wing mirror of a lorry.

The lorry did not stop and on October 10, a man was arrested in East Sheen, on suspicion of failing to stop at the scene of a collision. He was taken to a police station in West London, and has been bailed to appear at a west London police station on November 26.

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."

Head Teacher Mr Ryan says: "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."

MP for Brent and Isleworth Mary Macleod has also stepped in, saying she has contacted Transport for London to ask them to check whether the bus stop should be moved away from the road.

A spokesman for Transport for London said a routine investigation would be carried out at that particular bus stop to determine if any action was needed.

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 cemetery, 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 was heading towards the Hogarth Roundabout and the A4.

CCTV image of lorry shortly after incident

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

DS Hartfree says: "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 11, 2012