Blackburn road accident victim urges drivers to slow down (From Lancashire Telegraph)
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Blackburn road accident victim urges drivers to slow down
3:55pm Saturday 30th June 2012 in Blackburn
Andrew Carter
A FATHER-of-11 left in a coma for six months after being hit by a taxi, is speaking out to urge speeding drivers to slow down and ‘think’ of others.
Former bricklayer Andrew Carter was walking to his local corner shop when he was struck by a moving taxi and propelled 65 yards down the street.
The 54-year-old of Stoneyhurst Close, Blackburn was left with two skull fractures, a shattered left ear and arm, muscular problems in his left hand and his right leg in a brace.
The grandfather-of-five, said: “I have very little memory about what happened that day on Dec 28, 2007 or what happened during the following years.
“I can’t remember where I was going, but from what me and my family have pieced together I think I was going to the shop to buy the kids some sweets.
“I don’t remember anything about the accident but later I was told i had been hit by a taxi and that I had been discovered 65 yards away from the crash site.
“I was put into a medically induced coma for six months and my children honestly thought I was going to die.”
Mr Carter was crossing Whalley Old Road in Blackburn when the accident happened.
Police launched an investigation at the time of the incident but found nobody.
Mr Carter said: “I was in hospital for more than two years and then I was in a wheelchair.
“I am taking everyday as it comes but I know my life will never be like it was before.
“While I was in a coma I had two strokes as well as problems with my heart. And just when I thought I was getting better I caught MRSA.
“Nowadays everything seems mixed up. I struggle to remember how many children I have.
“I just want people to read my story and think about taking more care behind the wheel.
“We hear of too many lives being lost in car crashes. I am just going to continue trying to get better a step at a time.
“Despite all my problems, my children are just happy I survived.”
Comments(6)
Darrens Delivery Service
says...
9:34pm Sat 30 Jun 12
prince of darkness wrote:Firstly, all the very best to Andrew,
I take it taxi driver was never caught. Or did he get paid out for whiplash, afraid to drive again. I have driven and Taxi driver all over the world went to same driving school. I will take the test for you. Must be same school the Lancs Police use, as they appear not to know what the indicator stalks are for. The amount of Police drivers that fail to use indicators to signal their intensions is not acceptable. Have an accident their statement reads I was indicating left honest I was.
Prince, spot on with your comments.
Police cars in Darwen have no indicators on most of them.
Perhaps they are made that way from new to keep cost down.
Who knows.
woolywords
says...
8:19am Sun 1 Jul 12
There are large signs on entry to the street where I live, stating 20 in a red circle, perhaps we need to have it posted in the many other languages that are not of these shores, so that even they, may know what it implies?
Mind you, I did read an article about the accidents involving children, on the very streets where they live, what chance for us, the indigent peoples? None, I venture to suggest.
A Darener
says...
1:17pm Sun 1 Jul 12
woolywords
says...
3:09pm Sun 1 Jul 12
It is incumbant upon all road users that drive a car, to drive in such a manner as to be aware that the unexpected will happen.
'Expect, the unexpected..'
Am going to write my MP, when Jack Straw stands down, to propose a motion that, once enacted, the law is upon the driver of a vehicle to take due care, and that, if a vehicle strikes a pedestrian, the driver has to prove innocence.
And, before you all get on your hobby horses over this, let me cite this.
If you hit a car, up the bum/rear end, it's your fault. Irrespective if you didn't see the reason why they braked suddenly, it's your fault.
However, I will allow an exclusion clause, where you are resident in the area or related to, the victim, that will be proven by a standard DNA test. Otherwise, somebodies child is going to get run over, 3 times before school and then 5 times afterwards. It's not good for his bumpers.
(Am not mentioning Burner in this post, but you know who I mean)
(play the tune, Capstick comes home)
Years ago, when I were a lad, all you had to do was, stand on the kerb and a car would stop to let you cross and your Hovis loaf was still hot enough to keep you warm, all the way home.
Eee, by gum, the bread van will run you down, nowadays.
useyourhead
says...
4:28pm Sun 1 Jul 12
woolywords wrote:I love freewriting too lol! allsorts of dribble comes out.
Let me stand on my soap box, as you read this..
It is incumbant upon all road users that drive a car, to drive in such a manner as to be aware that the unexpected will happen.
'Expect, the unexpected..'
Am going to write my MP, when Jack Straw stands down, to propose a motion that, once enacted, the law is upon the driver of a vehicle to take due care, and that, if a vehicle strikes a pedestrian, the driver has to prove innocence.
And, before you all get on your hobby horses over this, let me cite this.
If you hit a car, up the bum/rear end, it's your fault. Irrespective if you didn't see the reason why they braked suddenly, it's your fault.
However, I will allow an exclusion clause, where you are resident in the area or related to, the victim, that will be proven by a standard DNA test. Otherwise, somebodies child is going to get run over, 3 times before school and then 5 times afterwards. It's not good for his bumpers.
(Am not mentioning Burner in this post, but you know who I mean)
(play the tune, Capstick comes home)
Years ago, when I were a lad, all you had to do was, stand on the kerb and a car would stop to let you cross and your Hovis loaf was still hot enough to keep you warm, all the way home.
Eee, by gum, the bread van will run you down, nowadays.
prince of darkness says...
7:35pm Sat 30 Jun 12