Crossing death fight for justice

Ann Kerridge, who died in the accident

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A GRIEVING daughter has been left devastated after a ruling that no prosecutions will result after her mother’s death while using a pedestrian crossing,.

Ann Kerridge (56), of Brookfield Avenue, Royton, died in January, 2007, after being knocked down by a bus while using a pedestrian crossing at Cheapside bus station.

Two high-risk crossings were later removed and replaced with safer ones.

A year later, Oldham coroner Simon Nelson said the station layout and a blind spot blocking the bus driver’s view both contributed to the accident.

A Health and Safety Executive (HSE) investigation was launched into health and safety management standards at Greater Manchester Passenger Transport Executive (GMPTE), which operates bus stations in the region, and bus service operators First Manchester Ltd.

In a recent letter to the Kerridge family, the HSE admitted improvements to the pedestrian crossing points were neccessary.

But it said “standards did not fall significantly below what was expected” — so did not have enough evidence to prosecute GMPTE.

It added that standards at First Manchester were reasonable and no action would be taken against them.

Mrs Kerridge’s daughter Sharon Kerridge, of Granite Street, Derker, said: “I’m so angry its unbelievable.

“She was on a zebra crossing which is supposed to be the safest place to be, children use that type of crossing.

“In the coroner’s court, the driver said he didn’t see her because of a blind spot on the bus. GMPTE has got away with it.”

Mrs Kerridge vowed to continue to fight for justice and will be taking the matter to her solicitor and MP.

She said: “We’re still looking for justice for my mum, for someone to stand up and admit to it and say ‘it was our fault’.

“I was in hospital when I lost my mum due to the grief, it’s been absolutely horrible. My mum never saw her grandson Jake, who is now two.

“I would feel a lot better knowing someone was to blame, I’ll fight to the day I die for my mum.”

John McGrellis, the HSE’s principal inspector for Greater Manchester, said: “We would like to pass on our condolences to Mrs Kerridge’s family, and to thank them for their patience while we completed our investigation.

“As part of the investigation, we issued an Improvement Notice to GMPTE in March, 2007, which required the organisation to put a plan in place to improve safety at the bus station.

“The changes are now complete and we are now satisfied with the overall health and safety standards at Oldham bus station and therefore we will not be taking further action.”