Neasden: Fatal collision an ‘accident waiting to happen’

Residents have slammed safety measures at a busy junction where an elderly man died after being struck by a lorry yesterday afternoon.

The unnamed man, who is thought to be in his 70’s, was struck and trapped under the front wheels of a lorry as he walked over a crossing island at the junction of Dollis Hill Lane and Neasden roundabout at around 12.25pm.

Shocked residents living near the accident scene said the tragedy was an accident waiting to happen, and claimed council bosses had ignored their pleas to tighten safety around the junction.

A woman who has lived in Dudden Hill Lane for 30 years but did not want to give her name, claimed residents had petitioned Brent Council to move the crossing further up the road because of safety fears, but their pleas had been ignored.

She said: “Cars come speeding around that corner at such speed it is unbelievable.

“We have petitioned the council to move that crossing further up the road away from the junction, and asked for 30mph signs to be put up to remind drivers of the speed limit, but we were ignored.

“I feel sorry for the family, to think that an innocent man could nip to the shops and be killed on his way home is really tragic, but it was an accident waiting to happen.”

Gill Close, chairwoman of the Dollis Hill Residents Association, said: “It is shocking how near to the corner that crossing is and the lack of view drievrs have when they come around that corner

“It has been an accident waiting to happen and we want the council to move the crossing further up the road to prevent further tragic deaths.

“That corner has been dangerous for too long and must be dealt with.”

Mum of three Sofia Abdow, who lives in Dudden Hill Lane, said: “It is terribly sad, but that corner is not very safe.

“Some cars go round that corner really quickly and they don’t indicate.”

The pensioner was thought to be on his way home from the shop when he was killed crossing the road.

An air ambulance rushed to the scene and paramedics battled to save his life for more than an hour but were unable to save him.

A police officer confirmed that they are investigating whether the lorry exceeded the 7.5 tonne vehicle limit in Dollis Hill Lane.

DS Chris Osbourne from Alperton Collision Unit told the Times the male driver of the lorry had been arrested and taken to Wembley police station for questioning.

He added the dead man’s next of kin had been informed and they were waiting for the man to be formally identified before they would release his name.

DS Osbourne is appealing for anyone who witnessed the incident to call him on 020 8998 5319.