Pedestrian injured by bus on Royal Parade crossing

A PEDESTRIAN was taken to hospital after a collision involving a bus in Royal Parade.

George Hocking, 35, was attempting to cross at the traffic lights at the junction of Royal Parade and Armada Way with his brother Frank, 30, just after 1pm yesterday.

Frank made it across the road safely but George was struck by a First Bus and was taken to Derriford Hospital suffering from head injuries.

Speaking to The Herald after his brother was discharged from hospital last night, Frank, who lives in the city centre, said: "He is back home now.

"He has got bruises and bumps on the head but he is alright. I have left him with a friend and he is recovering and talking."

Frank said he did not notice that the lights were changing when they started to cross.

"I got across then George got hit.

"He hit the windscreen of the bus, cracked it, and he flew 15 to 18 feet.

"He was knocked out for a couple of minutes.

I thought he was brown bread [dead] and I was in tears.

"He was in hospital for a couple of hours."

The incident comes less than two years after a pensioner died after colliding with a lorry on the Royal Parade crossing.

Great-grandmother Hazel Edgerton, 88, lost her life in May 2010 when she collided with a truck.

Driver Shaun Chaffe was later acquitted of killing the pensioner and trial judge Judge Francis Gilbert QC criticised the road set-up saying: "In my opinion, a major factor in this fatality was the layout and operation of this crossing. I do think it's a very hazardous junction for pedestrians at all times."

Last month a new "countdown" pedestrian crossing was put in place to replace the old one.

The new crossing is part of the next phase of revision work which has already included a high friction road surface and more visible 'bubble' tiles for pedestrians.

Speaking last month, Councillor Mark Coker, cabinet member for transport said: "The Royal Parade pedestrian crossing is very busy and we want it to be as safe as possible for people to use.

"These new signals have been tested in crowded areas in London and have proven popular, they give people more information about exactly when they should or shouldn't try to cross the road."