Swaffham pedestrian crossing call after child hit by a car

Kaydon Duarte was riding his bike when he was hit by a car on White Cross Road outside Heartwood Primary School in Swaffham.

Tasmin Duarte, Kaydon's mother, said a car was parked on "double yellow lines when the driver who hit Kaydon came from behind while he came from the front", which caused the collision.

Kaydon was sent to Addenbrooke's Hospital for an operation on his broken leg and is now recovering in a wheelchair.

Kaydon Duarte, 8, was hit by a car outside his school on Monday, October 14, and broke his leg. (Image: Tasmin Duarte) READ MORE: Two businesses to start after Greentrees Caravanstore closes

Hannah Pryor, a parent at the school who witnessed the accident on Monday, October 14, started a petition the same evening to have a pedestrian crossing installed.

The petition has since received more than 150 signatures.

She said: "Every parent's nightmare came to life when I witnessed an eight-year-old boy's leg get broken while attempting to cross the road outside Heartwood Primary School.

White Cross Road has been described as horrendous according to a campaigner advocating for a pedestrian crossing on the street. (Image: Google Maps) READ MORE: Primary school closes to replace carpets after flooding

"The dangerous mixture of busy traffic, parked cars and children trying to cross at various parts of the road creates an atmosphere that's almost impossible for parents and drivers to navigate safely during school drop-off and pick-up times."

Ms Pryor described White Cross Road as "horrendous". 

She said: "There's nothing there at the moment that ensures children and parents can cross the road safely. 

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"The school does have a lollipop lady but she's only contracted for Mondays, Wednesdays and Fridays."

Kaydon's mum said: "It wasn't anyone's fault but there should be a lollipop person there in the morning and evening."

Rebecca Starman, the deputy head of the school, said: "We have heard about the petition for the school crossing

At Heartwood School, children's safety is paramount and by making White Cross 20 miles an hour and by having a pelican crossing, this will help keep our pupils safe."

A spokesman for Norfolk County Council said: "Our safety team continuously reviews accident records and will suggest improvements to roads based on this data and according to priorities and funding. 

"We will continue to monitor the situation at this site and will take further action as required.

"Safety on our roads is a priority and we continue to work as part of the Road Safety Partnership to promote the safe use of our Highway Network.”

You can sign the petition here: Change.org/PedestrianCrossingInSwaffham