Crossing patrol returns after teenager hurt at Worthing High School

The 14-year-old schoolboy was said to be crossing at the exact spot on St Lawrence Avenue where a lollipop man had been working until two weeks ago.

Parent Sarah Page, who was at the school on Tuesday, March 16, watched in horror as the teenager and a car collided just after 3.20pm.

She said: "I was sat in my car and saw it all happen. The boy was not running.

"He tried to leap over the car but it threw him up in the air and he landed on the bonnet and then slid down the side of the car. It was horrific."

Patrol returns

After the accident, West Sussex County Council said it would reinstate the crossing patrol.

A spokesman said yesterday (Wednesday, March 17): "As from this afternoon we will be reinstating a crossing patrol at the school and this person will remain in place until the Easter School holidays.

"The county council were unable to provide a crossing patrol at this location after another member of our team unexpectedly resigned at short notice.

"Like all county councils, we struggle to find individuals willing to commit the time every day needed to become a crossing patrol."

Teachers' concerned

Assistant head teacher at Worthing High School, Rhys Price, said they were concerned about the situation and that usually there was a lollipop person at the junction.

The St Lawrence Avenue exit was the most-used crossing, with 60 to 70 per cent of students walking home in that direction.

"We have got staff on duty at the gate but they are not lollipop ladies. We get a lot of students use that entrance to leave school," he said.

Police said they are investigating the crash but no arrests were made at the scene.

Anyone with information is asked to contact police on 0845 6070 999.

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