A mother and her child were hospitalised after being hit by a car on a school run which concerned parents say is in desperate need of safety measures.
The London Ambulance Service (LAS) was called to reports of a road traffic collision at around 8.50am on Monday morning on the intersection between Park Hall Road and Rosendale Road in West Dulwich.
Ambulance crews and a paramedic in a fast response car were sent to the scene where a woman and a child were treated before being taken to hospital as a priority.
Sophie Mason, who lives off Park Hall Road, witnessed the “terrifying” collision after dropping her eight-year-old daughter off at Elm Wood Primary School.
The 40-year-old said: “It was just after the school run which is the worst time because everyone is rushing around.
“It was terrifying. She was crossing the road with her children on their way to school.
“Thankfully police and ambulances arrived quickly.”
According to the Met police, the woman and child have not sustained life-changing injuries.
But Ms Mason said Monday’s incident followed a spate of “near misses”.
She said: “This area is really dangerous for children and parents.
“You find that cars are always speeding – you think it could be your child who gets knocked over.”
Southwark council has implemented eight School Streets in Dulwich – where traffic is restricted outside schools for an hour during pick up or drop off times – in order to improve road safety and reduce the impact of air pollution.
These include roads surrounding Dulwich Wood Primary School, East Dulwich Harris Academy, Goose Green Primary School, Goodrich Primary School, St John’s & St Clement’s Primary School, John Donne Primary School, James Allen’s Girls’ School and Alleyn’s Junior School.
Ms Mason said: “We are so thankful for the council putting in these school streets and restrictions but they are pushing drivers onto other roads.
“The drivers are so angry and frustrated, they’re in such a rush that they don’t realise how much of a danger they are.
“They’re always overtaking and it can become a blind spot.
“We just want the council to do something about it – it’s so unsafe, they really need to take action.”
Parent-led charity, Save the School Run, based in Lambeth and Southwark described Monday’s incident as “shocking, but not unusual”.
Claire McDonald, co-founder of Solve the School Run, said: “It’s shocking to hear about the collision today. Shocking but not unusual.
“The school run is a dangerous time of day – when children are more likely to be seriously injured than at any other time.
“Our thoughts are with this family at this awful time. This issue is being ignored at a cost to children’s lives.
“Families shouldn’t have to risk their lives just to get to school.”
Southwark council has been approached for comment.
Pictured top: Emergency response cars at the scene on Monday (Picture: Solve the School Run)
