Driver reverses over hit-and-run victims

Jul 4 2008 by Dan Warburton, The Journal

A TEENAGER and her 59- year-old grandmother were in hospital yesterday after a hit-and-run crash in which the driver reversed over them twice.

The pair were walking along Tyne Street, just off High Street, in Easington Lane, near Houghton-le-Spring, Tyne and Wear, at around 11.30pm on Wednesday when they were knocked to the ground.

A car mounted the kerb, ploughed into them and reversed over them twice before speeding off.

Five police cars and three ambulance crews attended the scene, and spent more than two hours treating the women. The pair were taken to Sunderland Royal Hospital, where their conditions were described as serious but not life-threatening.

A man was later arrested after a pursuit that spanned across three police force areas ended when the driver crashed on the A19 near Middlesbrough.

The 42-year-old was spotted in Peterlee driving a silver Rover car through County Durham, before eventually crashing it near the Norton turn-off. He was detained in North Tees University Hospital where he was treated for his injuries, but was later arrested for a Section 18 assault relating to the earlier incident.

A police spokesman said: “It is believed both women had been walking along the pavement when a car mounted the kerb, knocking them to the ground. The car then reversed twice over both women as they lay on the ground, before making off.”

Immediately after the two women were hit, a large crowd gathered and the husband of the 59-year-old was told what had happened.

He had been with friends at the nearby Three Tuns pub and witnesses last night said that he had screamed when he arrived at the scene of the crash.

Police refused to confirm if the driver was known to the victims, but witnesses said people at the scene were shouting, “it was planned”.

Officers also were unable to confirm the two women’s relationship, but local residents identified them as grandaughter and grandmother.

The two women last night remained in hospital.

The 19-year-old woman underwent surgery and was heavily sedated after sustaining head injuries, a broken leg, and a fractured pelvis. The 59-year-old woman also suffered head injuries and a broken leg, but is conscious and talking.

A home-owner, who lives just metres away from where the accident happened but who wanted to remain anonymous, said the incident had drawn people from their homes.

He said: “There were five police cars and three ambulances and they were here until well after 1.30am. The older woman’s husband came over from the Three Tuns pub and when he saw what happened he just started screaming.

“There were a few people out here after because everyone knows everyone. A couple of people were shouting, ‘it’s planned, it’s planned’.”

Another nearby resident, who wanted to remain anonymous, said: “We saw a couple of vans and quite a few police cars. We have been told they’re grandmother and grandaughter.”