A serious incident occurred on Tuesday, 18 August, on Bankowa Street in Bolesławiec. According to the officers’ findings, a 31-year-old woman from Legnica, driving a Citroën Jumper, hit pedestrians on a shared pedestrian and bicycle path while reversing.
The 83-year-old man and his 81-year-old wife were taken to hospital. As we were able to establish, the man has already been discharged, while the woman remains in hospital under observation.
At this point, it is not yet known whether police will classify the incident as an accident or a collision.
A reader, the daughter of the injured couple, informed us about the incident. In her report, she described both what happened and her parents’ state of health.
Today (18 August – ed. istotne.pl), my parents, both over 80 years old, were hit by a car on the pavement.
The person driving the car drove onto the pavement and, while reversing, failed to check whether anyone was walking there. I do not know whether it was someone carrying out cleaning work ahead of the Ceramics Festival or someone responsible for urban greenery. But I do know one thing – all it took was looking before starting to reverse.
The woman added:
Instead of peacefully enjoying life and good health, my parents now have to deal with the consequences of this incident. Mum is in hospital and I am very worried about her condition. She cannot get out of bed on her own because she faints. Dad will probably be discharged today. Both have numerous injuries – a broken tooth, an injured arm and countless bruises. At this point, I do not even know how this situation will ultimately end.
How is it possible not to exercise basic caution in a place used by pedestrians, especially elderly people? What must be going through someone’s mind to reverse a car on the pavement without even checking whether anyone is behind the vehicle?
She concluded:
This is not just a car, a pavement and a moment of inattention. These are someone’s parents and grandparents, people who may now be suffering and facing a long recovery.
I feel immense sorrow, anger and helplessness. Above all, I appeal for responsibility and a little imagination. Before driving onto or starting to reverse on a pavement – CHECK THAT THERE IS NO PERSON THERE.
And she added: – I hope that those responsible for this incident will learn from it and that my parents will manage to recover quickly.
The incident occurred near the bank.
For now, it is not known how much longer the 81-year-old woman will remain in hospital. The final classification of the incident will depend on the police findings and documentation concerning the victims’ injuries.
This is another case showing how important it is to exercise particular caution when reversing. Drivers are required to make sure that there are no people or other obstacles behind the vehicle before beginning the manoeuvre.
