Retired policeman tried to help Corsham fatal crash victim (From The Wiltshire Gazette and Herald)
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Retired policeman tried to help Corsham fatal crash victim
12:33pm Thursday 2nd July 2009 in
Retired policeman Tom Willis told how he rushed to help the victim of a fatal crash in Corsham this morning.
The woman, who was travelling with two young children, was killed when her car collided with a refuse lorry on the A4 in Corsham.
The accident happened at 8.45am when the woman’s black Land Rover Discovery was in collision with a Biffa lorry before crashing into a stone wall at the junction with the A4 and the B3109 Bradford Road.
Former police officer Mr Willis, 72, heard the crash from his home in Bradford Road. He said: “I heard this horrible bang and knew straight away from experience that it was a serious accident. I rushed out of the house and went over to the vehicle where several other drivers were trying to get the children out of the car.
“There was a small child aged around three to four in a car seat in the front and a smaller child, between one and two years old I think, in a seat in the back.
“I helped get them out and then went round to the woman and checked for a pulse but there wasn’t one.
“I stayed with her until the police and ambulance arrived.”
Firefighters from Corsham and Chippenham helped the lorry driver out of his vehicle. He was taken to hospital after complaining of stomach pains.
Corsham watch manager Mark Unwin said at the scene: “We got here at about 9am and built a platform to get the lorry driver out.
“The Wiltshire Air Ambulance also landed in a nearby field but wasn’t needed. We will be on the scene for the next four hours until the police have completed their investigation and the removal vehicles have turned up.”
The two children were also taken to the hospital but police said it was only a precautionary measure as they had very minor injuries.
The A4 was closed from Leafy Lane to the Park Lane junction in Corsham while police cleared debris from the road and carried out accident investigations.
Roads policing unit inspector Ian Stevenson said: “At this time the exact cause of the accident is unknown.”
The A4 will be closed for the next three hours while the police process the scene and the vehicles are recovered. Police are asking drivers to find alternative routes around the scene as the A4 is closed from Leafy Lane to the Park Lane junction in Corsham.
Comments(17)
Local Bloke
says...
3:00pm Thu 2 Jul 09
RIP
Mike Hawkins
says...
3:33pm Thu 2 Jul 09
Sazzer wrote:I couldn't agree more. What is important that this lady has died, her children and family have been deprived of loved one, and the other driver has had an accident he will remember for the rest of his life.
Those poor poor kiddies, please spare a thought for these little ones before posting any harsh opinions regarding the circumstances surrounding this accident, RIP to the lady x
RIP
laurie1984
says...
4:00pm Thu 2 Jul 09
That was nothing more than a stpid mistake. with a horrible end. I feel so sory for all involved especialy thoes young children, I was relieved to see them pulled out alive,
It was horrible and very upsetting. I watched from the end of the bradford road as the medics and police and fire crews arrived.
My heart goes out to all involved, and all their family members.
Love to all
Nick Taken
says...
4:43pm Thu 2 Jul 09
Heartfelt wishes to the family in the coming weeks and months and especially dad.
chrisjc
says...
5:21pm Thu 2 Jul 09
tethered
says...
6:37pm Thu 2 Jul 09
BusDriver
says...
8:08pm Thu 2 Jul 09
Dianepatricia
says...
7:53am Fri 3 Jul 09
melmel1987
says...
8:14am Fri 3 Jul 09
They still haven't determined how it happened, surely there must have been a witness who saw exactely what happened?
What an awful tragedy in which the familys lives have been turned upside down. God Bless.
BusDriver
says...
8:38am Fri 3 Jul 09
carrotmuncher
says...
9:20am Fri 3 Jul 09
Lee Harris
says...
11:01pm Fri 3 Jul 09
We will miss her always xxx
TURKEY GIRL
says...
11:12pm Fri 3 Jul 09
Angel831
says...
9:44am Sat 4 Jul 09
Lee Harris wrote:be strong..... things will get better and im sure your family and friends will be a tower of strength to you as will the children
I thank you all for your kind words and thoughts. I have lost my Sole Mate and my children a wonderful mum. Our lives are upside down at the moment but the three little lives I have been left with are my main priority now and I hope with the help of my family and friends I can be strong for them. We will miss her always xxx
(((hugs)))
Jocol13
says...
10:19am Sat 4 Jul 09
lit em
says...
2:10pm Sat 4 Jul 09
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The wreckage of the Land Rover Discovery and the Biffa lorry on the A4 in Corsham this morning
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Sazzer says...
2:04pm Thu 2 Jul 09