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Mother's safer crossing campaign after Zion Browne injured in crash

15:03, 06 May 2018

The mother of a schoolboy who was struck by a car in Littlebourne Road has called for the perilous crossing to be made safer.

Zion Browne, 11, was hospitalised for two days after he was knocked down while walking to school at Pilgrim's Way Primary.

He is still in pain after suffering a broken arm and head injury, which required 13 staples.

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County councillor Ida Linfield beside the busy Littlebourne Road in Canterbury
County councillor Ida Linfield beside the busy Littlebourne Road in Canterbury

"It's a lot to process," said his mother, Daniella. "We're just not really sure what happened. Zion is always really careful when crossing the road. He never messes about."

The Year 6 pupil was hit by a car while crossing the 40mph road near Warwick Road, a route frequently used by schoolchildren making their way to Pilgrim's Way from the former Howe Barracks site, where the Browne family live.

He was with a friend, who also suffered minor injuries to her foot.

"I could have lost my child," Daniella said. "I just hope that another parent doesn't have to go through something like this, or worse.

"The accident has had a ripple effect throughout the whole community here. It's not just Zion, so many kids walk to school by themselves. It's just frightening that something like this can happen to a child.

The scene of the accident
The scene of the accident

"The most urgent thing is to reduce the speed limit. There's no reason why that should be a 40mph road at that point. These are family homes.

"It doesn't matter how much it costs, you can't put a price on a child's safety."

Zion can only remember walking up the footpath to Littlebourne Road and then seeing his mother while being lifted into an ambulance.

"He is a blessed boy, to be honest. I'm just grateful that he's here and that I've still got my Zion," Daniella said.

"He kept saying 'mum, am I alive?' 'So I'm not in heaven?'"

"I definitely would like something positive to come from this situation."

The injury after Zion was hit
The injury after Zion was hit

Ida Linfield, a Lib Dem county councillor, has been campaigning for a pedestrian crossing at the danger spot and was due to meet a KCC safety officer and a traffic planner there in recent days.

“It could not be more dangerous,” she said. “This was inevitable and need not have happened.

“I will be asking both for the speed limit to be reduced, as well as a crossing.

“There is no way this can be allowed to happen again. Other parents have told me of their concern for their own children saying that they are our future and must be looked after. I quite agree.

“I would feel a sense of guilt if I don't get a crossing there and I'm going to get one if it bloody kills me."

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