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Rhws Junior School lollipop lady was crash human shield | |
(35 minutes later) | |
A lollipop lady used herself as a human shield "out of instinct" to protect children being mowed down by an out-of-control car, a court has heard. | A lollipop lady used herself as a human shield "out of instinct" to protect children being mowed down by an out-of-control car, a court has heard. |
Uniformed Karin Williams, 50, was helping pupils cross the road when an Audi crashed into them outside Rhws Junior School, Rhoose, Vale of Glamorgan. | Uniformed Karin Williams, 50, was helping pupils cross the road when an Audi crashed into them outside Rhws Junior School, Rhoose, Vale of Glamorgan. |
Driver Robert Bell, 62, denies careless driving at Cardiff Magistrates' Court. | Driver Robert Bell, 62, denies careless driving at Cardiff Magistrates' Court. |
Ms Williams stepped in front of the car and took the impact. | Ms Williams stepped in front of the car and took the impact. |
Mr Bell said he had been coughing at the wheel moments before veering across the road and injuring five children. | |
His car flipped on to its roof outside the primary school. | His car flipped on to its roof outside the primary school. |
The court heard how Mr Bell's car sent young children "cart wheeling through the air" at 08:50 during the school run crash in June 2013. | |
Mother-of-one Ms Williams, who had been a lollipop lady for 10 years, told the court how she heard a "revving noise" and saw Mr Bell gripping the wheel with his eyes wide open seconds before the crash. | |
"I was at the crossing when all of a sudden I looked to my left and I saw a dark car coming towards me at speed," she said. | "I was at the crossing when all of a sudden I looked to my left and I saw a dark car coming towards me at speed," she said. |
"It was on the wrong side of the road and collided with a bollard. It was very close to me. | "It was on the wrong side of the road and collided with a bollard. It was very close to me. |
"I remember seeing the driver's eyes were wide open and gripping his hands tight on the steering wheel. It was all happening so fast. | "I remember seeing the driver's eyes were wide open and gripping his hands tight on the steering wheel. It was all happening so fast. |
"I was shouting something to warn the kids and moved in their direction out of instinct. | "I was shouting something to warn the kids and moved in their direction out of instinct. |
'Underneath the car' | 'Underneath the car' |
"The next thing I remember is being underneath the car and feeling a sharp pain." | "The next thing I remember is being underneath the car and feeling a sharp pain." |
Five children and four adults were injured in the crash outside the primary school. | Five children and four adults were injured in the crash outside the primary school. |
Ms Williams was left with broken legs, elbow, shoulder and ribs and spent 10 weeks in hospital. | Ms Williams was left with broken legs, elbow, shoulder and ribs and spent 10 weeks in hospital. |
One 10-year-old girl spent three days on a life support machine and has undergone a series of operations and still cannot use her left arm. | One 10-year-old girl spent three days on a life support machine and has undergone a series of operations and still cannot use her left arm. |
Witnesses to the crash heard a "horrendous bang" as the car ploughed into the group of parents and children. | Witnesses to the crash heard a "horrendous bang" as the car ploughed into the group of parents and children. |
One witness told police: "It was chaos. Parents and children were screaming. | One witness told police: "It was chaos. Parents and children were screaming. |
"The black car had been travelling at normal speed but then suddenly there was a revving noise. At the same time it veered across the road, flipped over and slid on its roof. | "The black car had been travelling at normal speed but then suddenly there was a revving noise. At the same time it veered across the road, flipped over and slid on its roof. |
"Karen was left on the front of the car as it carried on sliding." | "Karen was left on the front of the car as it carried on sliding." |
The court heard children were left in "pools of blood" after being hit. | |
Lisa Jones, prosecuting, said: "No one but Mr Bell caused the car to veer across the road. | Lisa Jones, prosecuting, said: "No one but Mr Bell caused the car to veer across the road. |
"A competent driver wouldn't have driven the car that way. The real issue is whether he is responsible for the manner of the driving. | "A competent driver wouldn't have driven the car that way. The real issue is whether he is responsible for the manner of the driving. |
"He says he had no control because he was unconscious or unaware at the time." | "He says he had no control because he was unconscious or unaware at the time." |
The trial continues. | The trial continues. |