Driver admits he didn’t see crossing girls

Peter Scott

A VAN driver charged with causing the death of a 12-year old girl and seriously injuring her friend on a Shaw zebra crossing told police: “I just didn’t see them”.

Forty-year-driver Peter Scott (57), had been doing only 15mph as he approached the crossing in Milnrow Road, Shaw - which he knew was a notorious accident spot.

A trial jury at Manchester Crown Court heard he continued into the crossing at that speed but hit the friend and unknowingly dragged Annalise Holt under his van for 17 metres.

An expert in accident reconstruction said Scott, of Frances Street, Derker, would have had an unobstructed view of the two girls for a critical two and a half seconds, and at 16.6 metres away would have had time to brake.

David Holmes told the jury that had Scott seen the girls only as they walked on to the crossing, he would have been 12.6 metres away and should have had time to brake. Emergency braking would have halted the van in just over three metres. Mr Holmes suggested that if Scott had braked at any point, his speed would have been cut and there might have been a different outcome.

Scott who pleads not guilty to causing death by careless driving, told police afterwards “Traffic was stop-start, so you can’t really see the entire crossing at any one time.”

The jury earlier heard that Scott had been unaware his van had dragged Annalise and when he stopped he at first ran back to the crossing, concerned for the 11-year-old friend he had hit.

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(Proceeding)