West Bromwich hit-run victim Simon Oldnall wakes up from coma
A father of two has woken up from a coma a month after he was knocked down in a suspected hit and run.
Carpet fitter Simon Oldnall, aged 43, suffered multiple serious injuries when he was hit as he crossed Black Lake in West Bromwich on April 26.
He has now woken up from a coma and been moved to a specialist ward for his neck injuries at Queen Elizabeth Hospital in Birmingham.
Mr Oldnall is recovering from a broken neck, shoulder, legs and a punctured lung – and despite his improving condition, doctors say he will remain in hospital for many more months.
His partner Laura Irvine, 28, said she is 'coping okay' as she continues to look after the couple's children Jake, five, and Luke, three, at their home in Anson Road.
She said: "Simon woke up last week, he can talk but is very confused about what happened.
"He can't remember the crash or anything about that day. I have told him and it did upset him."
Mr Oldnall, who was born in Hill Top and attended Hill Top High School before leaving to train as a carpet fitter, was hit by the car as he crossed the road with friend Adrian Leir.
They had returned from Birmingham on the Metro and were heading to The New Talbot pub.
Miss Irvine said: "We don't know how long it will be, or if he will recover fully. I've been told it depends on how the physiotherapy goes.
"We're all praying he makes it back – but we've got to take things slowly right now.
"He has had major surgery. I'm expecting him to stay in hospital for at least another four months."
Simon's brother Stephen, 36, also of Anson Road, said: "It is one step at a time for Simon and it appears he has made the first step forward. Everyone is hoping he will make a full recovery and come home for his partner and two children."
A 25-year-old man from West Bromwich has been arrested on suspicion of failing to stop at the scene of a road traffic collision and has since been released on bail while police continue their investigation into what happened.
Officers have appealed for anyone with information about the incident to come forward to help them with their investigations.
Sgt Gavin Green also revealed officers were looking for a dark coloured VW Golf, believed to be aged around 2004 upwards.
The car was said to have extensive front-end damage, and police have asked for anyone who has seen a car matching the description, or anyone who has been asked to fix or repair a damaged Golf, to get in touch.
Last month, people living near where the collision took place called for safety measures on the road.
It came after another man was knocked down on the same stretch a week after Mr Oldnall's accident.
A man was left with serious injuries after being hit near The New Talbot pub.
Those living along the road would like to see either pedestrian crossings or speed humps to prevent drivers travelling too fast down it.
One nearby resident, Tarsem Lal, said: "From one set of lights to the other it is a long distance – and people have really fast cars.
"About seven years ago there was a petition to have some kind of speed restrictions. It's a really dangerous road."
But Sandwell Council cabinet member for neighbourhood services, Ian Jones, said there would not be a knee-jerk reaction to the accident.
