Parents horrified by crash outside school which badly hurt two girls set up their own safety patrols

Natasha Mason, Natasha Stevens, Lorna Turner and Catherine Smith started patrolling on Monday following the accident last Friday, in which two girls were hit by a car on Willenhall Street.

Ms Stevens and Ms Mason said the accident happened in front of parents and children leaving the school and left one girl with a fractured spine and another with a fractured pelvis, with both still in hospital at present.

Ms Stevens said: "We were collecting our children from school and usually have to wait for traffic to stop because there's no crossing and we want to make sure it's safe.

"Both sides of traffic had stopped, but this other car had overtaken a car which had stopped to let us cross and hit the two girls at about 35 miles an hour - so it was quite an impact and happened in front of a lot of children and their parents.

"People don't realise that this road is 20 miles per hour and there aren't that many signs up to show it."

Ms Mason said: "The incident was very traumatic for the families who were there.

"Everyone there rushed to help. I used my coat and a cardigan from my car to cover one of them, someone called the ambulance and the headteacher came out to assist.

"We all pulled together to comfort them as the mothers of the children were hysterical.

"After what happened I decided to do something about this. I never want this to happen again. We know we may get fined for taking matters into our own hands, but we'd rather get into trouble.

"Something needs to be done. Some other schools in the area have the benefit of three school crossing patrol supervisors, but we have none at all."

West Midlands Police previously said in a statement: "We were called to School Street, Darlaston, after a collision involving a car and two children.

"The children were taken to hospital for further treatment and the driver of the car remained at the scene helping officers with their inquiries."

The new patrol has been praised by parents taking their children to school.

Kieron Turner, who has two children at the school, and Sarah Yarnall, who has three, were both present on Friday when the incident happened and helped the children, so were more than happy to see action being taken.

Mr Turner said: "I think what they're doing is fantastic, especially after what happened on Friday because it has had such an effect on the parents and children, quite a few of whom saw what happened and are pretty traumatised.

"I've got a son and a daughter at this school and it's really good to know that they're being looked after by this patrol."

Ms Yarnall said: "What happened on Friday was absolutely disgusting and the two girls who got knocked down are really lucky to be alive.

"I think this road has been a problem for a long time and nothing is being done about it, so it's great to see the local community coming together to get something done. They shouldn't have to give up their time, but they do and they look after our kids."

Old Church Primary headteacher Davina Clancy praised the parents for their response to the accident.

She also said in a statement: "The local community is shocked by the recent incident that took place outside Old Church Primary School.

"Our thoughts are with the parents and families at this time and we would like to thank the staff, parents and children for their ongoing support to each other."

A Change.org petition organised by school parent Kelly Astley to ask for a designated crossing place has so far attracted about 350 signatures.

In addition to a designated crossing point the petition is calling for improved road signs and for regular traffic checks to be carried out in the vicinity in a bid to improve safety.

The petition can be found at change.org/p/urgent-action-needed-install-crossing-and-improve-signage-on-willenhall-street-following-tragic-accident-involving-2-children.

A spokesman for Walsall Council said: "Walsall Council is continuing efforts to recruit a school crossing patrol operative on Willenhall Street and is committed to filling the vacancy to improve safety for children crossing.

"The latest speed checks and vehicle counts for Willenhall Street will be used to assess and prioritise requests for new crossing facilities in the context of borough-wide demand for road safety measures.

"The council is shocked and saddened by the news of this incident and our thoughts are with the children and their families at this time.”