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Slow down!

18 Nov, 2009 11:18 AM
By Shana Thatcher

THE angry father whose cancer-sufferer daughter was struck by a car while she was riding a four-wheeled scooter last week, wants pedestrian crossings in the main street.

It was a frightening sight for a crowd of Tuesday afternoon shoppers in Marshall Street when 52 year-old Goondiwindi resident Marion McKinlay was thrown to the bitumen after the collision.

Thankfully she received only minor injuries and was back at her favorite coffee shop, Batesy’s Bread Basket the next morning, re-telling the story of her brush with death to friends and family.

Less than 24 hours earlier she was being shelted from the sun by a Good Samaritan with an umbrella, while ambulance officers treated her as she lay on the bitumen road outside Schofields.

The accident occurred at 4pm while she crossed the road on her “scooter”.

Police said no charges would be laid.

“It was an accident,” said Sergeant Graeme Frost of the Goondiwindi Police.

It may have been an accident, but it’s an accident Marion’s father Ted McKinlay believes could have been prevented.

To Page Four

“They need a pedestrian crossing. You have to go a long way out on the road so you can see far enough to know whether it’s safe to cross. You can’t see past those big 4WDs parked all around there,” he said.

“I drive a scooter too,” said Norma McKinlay. “It’s dangerous trying to get across the road.”

Ted said he didn’t accept the Department of Main Roads argument about the need to keep traffic flowing down the main road.

“Ruthven St in Toowoomba is a main road, and they have plenty of lights and crossings,” he said.

Ted said if enough people complain, Council will have to act and put in a crossing in Herbert St.

“People power can change anything,” he said.

A pedestrian crossing is something council would consider according to Goondiwindi Regional Council Deputy Mayor, Cr Rick Kearney.

“Marshall Street is the responsibility of the department of Main Roads. They don’t like to interfere with the flow of traffic, and it’s not likely they would approve a pedestrian crossing or speed bumps in that street.

“Herbert Street is a different matter. Council has authority over that street and could approve a pedestrian crossing.

“Council will consider any reasonable suggestions,” said Cr Kearney.

“Which means no overpass.”

Marion’s parents said the accident was the last thing their daughter needed. “She’s having a real battle with ovarian cancer and then this happens,” mum Norma said.

“Thank goodness she wasn’t hurt too badly.” Marion suffered a dislocated shoulder as well as bruises and abrasions.

Ted said the man driving the car had called in at the hospital to find out how Marion was after the accident.

Marion said she was recovering well and she’ll soon be back on her scooter.

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Put a pedestrian crossing in before someone else is hurt. That’s the message from the McKinlay family. Pictured from left are Norma, Ted and Marion.
Put a pedestrian crossing in before someone else is hurt. That’s the message from the McKinlay family. Pictured from left are Norma, Ted and Marion.

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