Latest accident renews safety call… Save our kids

By Danielle Galvin
THE parents of two teenagers who were hit by a car as they crossed the Princes Highway in Berwick have renewed calls for a safer, controlled intersection.
They are among a number of parents who believe the intersection at Manuka Road, Bryn Mawr Boulevard and the highway is unsafe for the students from the surrounding schools who cross there.
The thirteen-year-old boy and his 15-year-old brother hopped off their bikes to cross the road at around 8.20am as they made their way to school.
The teens were both struck by the driver of a car who failed to give way at the intersection.
“They need a green arrow from both Manuka Road and Bryn Mawr Boulevard,” the boys mother said.
“Even a lollipop lady would provide better safety.”
Sergeant Robert Madeley from Narre Warren police station said a vehicle turning right from Bryn Mawr Boulevard onto the Princes Highway failed to give way to the boys at the intersection just over two weeks ago.
“The vehicle failed to give way and collided into both of them,” Sgt Madeley said.
“One of the boys was dragged under the vehicle for approximately 15 metres and the other was struck by the bonnet and bounced onto the road.”
But City of Casey Manager of Community Safety Caroline Bell advised that while a formal pedestrian crossing including signals and signs was currently in operation, the council was reviewing the intersection.
It comes after an 11-year-old girl lost her leg after she was hit by a bus in at the same intersection in 2007.
The teen’s parents, who did not wish to be identified, said their boys were “doing really well” following the accident.
“They were both doing the right thing – they were off their bikes to cross the road, on the ‘green man walk signal’ and aware of their surrounds,” their mother said.
“An ambulance happened to be passing through the intersection moments later and was on the scene immediately, the paramedics were amazing.”
“Both boys were treated on the road for about an hour.”
The youngest teen, who is yet to return to high school, said, as he was walking across the intersection, he had seen the car turning and expected it would give way and stop to let him, his brother and his brother’s friend cross safely.
He spent five days in the Royal Children’s Hospital.
“These are two lucky boys,” their mum said.
The boys father said the school principal and staff had been fantastic and supportive since the accident, as were the staff at the hospital.
They say they want action to be taken to avoid the same thing happening to other kids in the area.
“Action needs to be taken, they need green arrows. It’s that simple,” the boys father said.
“How many lives ‘nearly’ need to be taken, to improve this intersection, to make it safe for our children?”