Moray mum demands safety crossing measures after son hit by car
Rebecca Black's nine year-old son John was "terrified" after Monday's incident outside Kinloss Primary
Last updated 13th May 2021
A Moray mum is urging the local authority to re-introduce safety crossing measures at her son's school - after he was struck by a car.
Rebecca Black's nine year-old son John was "terrified" after Monday afternoon's incident outside Kinloss Primary as he was taken to hospital.
Luckily, after an X-ray he's walked away with a bad sprain and bruising.
Rebecca says she was in "sheer panic" when she found out what had happened.
She said: "It was extremely scary.
"No parent ever wants to hear those words. I didn’t know what to think I didn’t know whether it was bad, just sheer panic.
"It was just terrifying.
"My son doesn’t want to walk home anymore, just out of sheer fear which is understandable.
"I know there’s a lot of children who witnessed it that feel the same now which then causes more traffic on the road."
"He was terrified, but he was so brave.
"Luckily one of the parents were there to grab him out of the way.
"I think his legs hit the car so he’s suffered with a bad sprain and bruising."
She says this shows how safety crossing measures must be installed on the B9089 Kinloss-Roseisle road outside the school.
To help address the 2019/2020 budget deficit, Moray Council made 29 school crossing patrol officers redundant.
Rebecca added: "Something needs to be done.
“Not just at Kinloss, everywhere.
“Every where that’s got main roads that are busy because childrens’ lives aren’t worth risking.
“There’s been many near misses and I think a couple of weeks ago a child was scuffed by a car.”
Moray MP Douglas Ross says the situation at Kinloss Primary "really worries" him.
He said: "I am obviously concerned about the lack of School Crossing Patrollers across Moray, but the situation at Kinloss Primary School really worries me.
"There has now been a child struck by a car as they were leaving school and although their injuries were not serious, its still a very concerning accident.
"Local parents are understandably concerned as the B9089 Kinloss-Roseisle Road is particularly busy with all sorts of traffic.
“I have contacted Moray Council again to ask for an update on the speed checks they were to carry out at this location and to ask what plans they have to install other safety measures including the consideration of a pedestrian crossing.
"I’ve also asked them where parents would stand legally if they provided Volunteer Crossing Patrollers, equipped with suitable reflective clothing.
"It is important that we try and find a solution to this very real issue and in doing so I am happy to work with Moray Council, local Councillors, parents and the school to deliver a safe crossing for pupils."
Moray Council say assessments are being carried out and details of the incident will be reviewed.
A spokesperson said: "Our thoughts are with the family involved in this incident and we wish the child all the best for a speedy recovery.
"We appreciate the distressing nature of the incident and are supporting staff and children from Kinloss Primary School who may have witnessed events unfolding.
"Transportation colleagues have been conducting assessments in Kinloss recently, the findings from this will be reviewed and shared upon completion.
"All the details surrounding this incident will be reviewed and we will continue to work alongside Police Scotland to identify opportunities to encourage safe crossing and vehicle use around school areas."
Rebecca's started a petition on the matter. This can be found here