CCTV could hold vital clues to Rochester Road bus crash after schoolgirl Jade Phillips knocked down in Gravesend
Jade at the top of the
screen just moments before the crash
by Julia Roberts
The shocking moment when a schoolgirl was struck by a car
and thrown into the path of an on-coming bus was captured on
CCTV.
Jade Phillips, 12, is seen on the footage filmed by a camera
outside 3 K's Convenience Store trying to cross Rochester Road in
Gravesend during rush-hour traffic.
KentOnline has seen the full footage, but has chosen not to show
it to avoid causing additional distress.
It shows a friend had crossed ahead of her and made his way into
the shop just after 8am on Wednesday.
Just seconds later the St John's Catholic Comprehensive pupil
slowly edges out into the road.
Numerous vehicles can be seen passing the girl, but no one stops
or slows down.
Having waited several seconds, the youngster then steps further
into the road - only to be hit by a car travelling towards the
junction with Abbey Road.
The impact throws her into the path of an Arriva bus heading in
the opposite direction and she is dragged along for several metres
by the single-decker's front wheels before it is able to stop.
A schoolboy is seen
rushing to help after the crash
A schoolboy is then seen rushing out of the shop and across the
road to help Jade.
He and other members of the public at first head to the rear of
the bus, where what appears to be her schoolbag lies in the road.
They then get onto their hands and knees to peer under the
vehicle.
However, it is not until another schoolgirl standing on the
pavement crouches down and looks towards the front of the bus that
they realise she is caught under the front wheels.
Crews from Kent Fire and Rescue Service used air bags to release
her before she was taken to King's College Hospital in London.
She suffered a fractured skull and collarbone but was said by
Kent Police to be conscious and in a "serious but not
life-threatening" condition.
Speaking on behalf of Jade's mother Amanda Pryor, Jade's aunt -
who asked not be named - said: "Amanda is so grateful for the love
and support from the local community and how people are reacting.
She didn't realise people were like that - it's been so
overwhelming."
Shopkeeper Sutharsan Murugesu was at the doorway of the
convenience store and said Jade was trapped for about half an
hour.
Emergency services at the
scene of the crash
"She was dragged along for about five metres. The boy found her
under the bus. At that time the girl was screaming and we called
for the police and ambulance.
"I think the boy's mum or another mum came to try and take the
girl from under the bus. It was very shocking."
Robert Livingstone is the manager of Carpet Design Centre which
is in the same parade of shops. He was asleep in his flat above the
shop when he was woken by the sound of screaming.
"I knew it wasn't the normal noise of schoolchildren. I looked
outside and it had literally just happened.
"It could only have been seconds because of the screams I could
hear," said the 40-year-old.
"She is very much in our thoughts" – headteacher John Stanley
By the time I came to
the window her mum was there and was distraught."
Jade's headteacher John Stanley was at the scene within minutes
and has praised the reaction of not just the emergency services but
also a Year 10 pupil who made a 999 call and alerted the
school.
"He witnessed the accident and immediately called the emergency
services and then he phoned the school. It was a really good thing
of him to do and shows great presence of mind," he said.
"The emergency services themselves were brilliant and I include
in that not just the ambulance, paramedics, police and fire crews
but also those from the bus company. There were three or four buses
in the queueing traffic and the drivers all responded really
well.
"It was great to see a community working together."
A special 'prayer corner' has been set up in the school's chapel
where Jade's classmates and other pupils have laid pebbles out in
her name. Many also made her 'Get Well' cards.
"The children in school have been very concerned for Jade and
have been sending lots of get well wishes and messages," added Mr
Stanley. "She is very much in our thoughts."
07/03/13
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