New safety campaign launched after schoolboy hurt in Wiveslfield Green crash

A new safety campaign is being launched after a boy was involved in a crash with a car as he stepped off a school bus in Wivelsfield Green.
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Eleven-year-old Daniel Messam was on his way home from Chailey Secondary School last Wednesday when the crash happened at around 3pm.

Now his sister Jessica, who teaches at Wivelsfield Primary School, is launching a campaign for a pedestrian crossing to be installed in the area.

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Meanwhile, she told how she arrived on the scene of the crash in Green Road soon after it happened when a neighbour alerted her.

Jessica Messam with brothers Daniel and Josh and sister EllieJessica Messam with brothers Daniel and Josh and sister Ellie
Jessica Messam with brothers Daniel and Josh and sister Ellie

She said: “Daniel was unconscious in the middle or the road and when he came round he had gone blind. He was terrified.”

He was rushed by ambulance to the Royal Sussex County Hospital in Brighton and his sight thankfully returned.

He had CT scans and X-rays and was moved to the Royal Alexandra children’s hospital before being discharged the following day. He has now been told to rest at home for twov weeks.

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Jessica said Daniel’s accident had highlighted how ‘incredibly dangerous’ Green Road is with few drivers sticking to the 30mph limit.

She also said the school bus had no signage to indicate to drivers that it was carrying children.

Jessica has now contacted MP Maria Caulfield and the parish council as well as launching a petition to East Sussex County Council to have a pedestrian crossing installed.

“I would like to petition for a Zebra crossing to be installed on the road as there are many that try to cross from Wivelsfield School, Chailey School and Wivelsfield Playgroup - all ending at the same time. Cars whizz around the bend and it can be catastrophic.”

She said her brother Daniel had been “very lucky. I don’t know how he didn’t come off worse.”

She said she didn’t want such an accident to heppen to anyone else.