1 week Ago By [email protected] (Jenny Beake)
A hit and run accident has left a teenager ‘bruised and whiplashed’ - but her family feel her injuries could have been worse if not for a metal water bottle. Evie Walton, 15, got off the bus on Tuesday, April 1, at Market Way in Pinchbeck when she was hit from behind by a car - which drove off leaving the youngster on the ground. The school girl’s metal water bottle is believed to have taken the brunt of the hit.
A kind couple and two workmen came to the Spalding High School student’s aid as she called her mum before being taken to Boston’s Pilgrim Hospital. Calls have been made for sometime for a footpath to be installed in Market Way - but Lincolnshire County Council says it needs funding in order to complete a feasbility study into this. Evie’s mum, Gemma Mace, feels this incident shows the urgent need for a path to finally be installed along the road.
Miss Mace said: “She was struck from behind and hit her right side, knocked onto her left side and the driver just left. ”Her metal water bottle and school bag took the brunt of the hit. “The point is they need a path down there - what is it going to take for the council to see that someone will be physically killed.
” Once taken to hospital, Evie was treated by the trauma team and also suffered a black out. Miss Mace said Evie had suffered bruising, whiplash and could not move her head to one side. She said: “She was in shock and sore but at least she was able to walk away from it.
” Evie was discharged from hospital on the same day following a CT scan and Miss Mace has praised the hospital staff. She also believes the metal water bottle and school bag protected Evie from worse injuries and is ‘upset and frustrated’ that the driver didn’t stop. She said: “I get that accidents can happen but to hit a child and not bother to stop - that is what I don’t understand.
” Miss Mace is thankful that the couple and two workmen who stopped to help Evie The incident is being investigated by Lincolnshire Police and Miss Mace is appealing for anyone with information to get in touch with the force. She said: “The builders passed a dark coloured car they thought could be interesting to the police. “If anyone knows anything or has any information or footage in that vicinity it would be helpful.
” Police are keeping the family updated and Miss Mace appealed on social media for information such as CCTV, doorbell cameras and dash cam footage. She said: “I shared the post on social media and we have had a positive response. “Everybody is really angry and really shocked - a lot of these people walk that road themselves “But just the response we have had through social media alone - I have had messages from strangers - has been amazing.
” Evie, who will turn 16 later this month and she is due to take her GCSEs soon, has younger siblings aged three and 13 that have been affected by the incident. Miss Mace added: “The littlest one doesn't really understand but my son is worried he is going to get hit when he gets off the bus.” The safety of Market Way has been an issue for villagers who had previously organised a petition to Lincolnshire County Council to call for a path.
James Avery, chairman of Pinchbeck Parish Council, said: “This unfortunate incident underlines the urgent need for improved pedestrian safety along this route, something that the Parish Council has consistently advocated for. “Pinchbeck Parish Council remains fully supportive of the proposed footpath along Market Way and has actively lobbied LCC for its implementation. “Following these representations, LCC agreed in mid-2024 to undertake a feasibility study into constructing a footway along Market Way.
However, we are disappointed to note that this study appears to be no nearer completion.” Mr Avery also highlighted that the parish council ‘will continue to advocate strongly for the establishment of this essential footpath’ and emphasised that ‘the responsibility and authority to implement such infrastructure lies solely with LCC. He added: “We urge LCC to expedite this matter with urgency to prevent further incidents and to reassure local residents of their safety.
” Lincolnshire County Council has started the official process for the area to be considered suitable for a path - but needs funding to do the feasibility study. Karen Cassar, assistant director for highways at LCC said: “Our officers have put together a scheme plan for this idea, which is the first step in looking for funding to carry out a feasibility study and pre-design work. “This will work out if a path here could physically be put in and would actually fit on the land available.
The study is there to look at such things as where services are sited, compulsory land purchases etc. “There are all sorts of issues that need addressing with planning etc, so nothing is definite. One major factor in these considerations also is the sheer high amount of similar schemes we are asked to look into.
“In an ideal world, we would like to deliver on every scheme, but that’s not always possible.” She added that LCC sill liaise with the community ‘as soon as we can on what is happening with this scheme at this location.’ If you have information contact police on the 101 phone number or 101 online with reference 25000189304.
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