Middleton woman injured after safety fence collapses

Diana Hewstone faces a further month with her right arm in plaster after surgeons inserted a metal plate and wiring into the shattered joint.

She is also due to return to hospital for a further examination.

Mrs Hewstone, 76, of Tudor Close, said: "I resent being injured like this. My elbow hurts and I am in the most terrible pain from my ribs. I would normally be gardening and cycling because I am a fit person."

Mrs Hewstone was injured when she walked past a building site in Spencer Street at about 1.30pm on March 4.

She had stepped into the road to get past the metal safety fencing, which closed off the pavement, when a panel of fencing fell on her.

"It must have been about 7ft high and it was incredible how heavy it was. I was lifted off the ground when the fence hit me and crashed straight down on to my right elbow," she said.

She called out to some nearby workmen for help. Two or three of them lifted the panel off her.

Her head had begun to bleed heavily from the spot where it had hit the road. A female pedestrian came up to Mrs Hewstone to tell her she had called an ambulance. The paramedics soon arrived, along with police, and took Mrs Hewstone to St Richard's Hospital where she spent six days.

The site outside which Mrs Hewstone suffered her injuries is being developed for flats by Hurston Construction Ltd. A director, Peter Bennett, said: "We understand the lady concerned failed to see the 'footpath closed' sign. She continued walking off the footpath and around the front of the building site.

"At that point, a strong gust of wind blew a section of fencing on to her. An ambulance was called and the Health and Safety Executive was informed."

What do you think? Click here to send a letter or leave a comment below.

Click here to go back to Chichester news

Click here to go back to Bognor Regis news

Click here to go back to Midhurst and Petworth news

To tell us where in the world you are reading this story click on the link below to add yourself to our readers' map.

MAP