Mum ‘lucky to be alive’ after crashing when Doncaster traffic lights failed

A mum-of-two who was involved in a head-on crash after traffic lights failed at a busy Doncaster junction says she is lucky to be alive.
Laura Hardy from Moss who was injured in a road accident near Lakeside where the traffic lights were outLaura Hardy from Moss who was injured in a road accident near Lakeside where the traffic lights were out
Laura Hardy from Moss who was injured in a road accident near Lakeside where the traffic lights were out

Laura Hardy has been left with back, neck and arm injuries following the horror smash on White Rose Way near Lakeside Shopping Centre.

Mrs Hardy says she is the fourth person to be caught up in a collision at the junction in just two days because of the faulty lights.

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The mum, whose Renault Megane was written off by insurers following the crash, has criticised Doncaster Council for not providing enough signs to alert motorists to the problem.

Mrs Hardy, aged 35, of Trumfleet Lane, Moss, said: “There were no signs before the lights to let people know they weren’t working - the only sign was on the actual pole of the traffic lights and by then it’s too late.”

She said a fellow motorist rushed to her aid following the crash, and told her he had been involved in a collision at the same spot the previous day.

“The police told me about another crash and I saw someone else on Facebook posting about being involved in a crash, all because of the lights,” Mrs Hardy added.

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“I think it’s pretty appalling that the council did nothing for two days.

“I think the council should be offering up compensation.”

Gill Gillies, the council’s assistant director of environment, said: “In these situations it is standard practice to attach an out-of-order sign to traffic light posts to warn road users approaching the junction. When we realised that it would not be a quick repair we put in temporary traffic lights and closed Carolina Way to help manage traffic in the area until the fault was fixed.

“The Highway Code is clear that motorists should always approach traffic lights and junctions with caution.”

Mrs Hardy, mum to daughters Jessie, six, and Jodie, five, has been unable to return to work at her clothes ironing business due to her painful injuries.

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“I’m just so glad the kids weren’t in the car with me I could have been taking them to school so things could have been worse. I was pretty shaken up. I just keep thinking what could have happened - it could have been a lot worse. I do feel lucky to be here.”

South Yorkshire Police confirmed that officers were called at around 10.40am to the collision, which happened last Monday. A white Mercedes is believed to have been involved, as well as Mrs Hardy’s gold-coloured Megane.

The force said it received several calls reporting the faulty traffic lights and had received three reports of collisions in the area.