Shock as mobility scooter struck by lorry on Doncaster street

A disabled man says he could have been killed when his mobility scooter was struck by a lorry as he waited at a Doncaster pedestrian crossing.
Philip PankhurstPhilip Pankhurst
Philip Pankhurst

Philip Pankhurst was waiting to cross Station Road in Dunscroft, near his home, when the vehicle struck a pothole on the carriageway, causing its rear to swing round and strike his scooter.

He managed to reverse the scooter back far enough to avoid serious injury – but the lorry still caused major damage. It was the second time Philip has been in a collision with a lorry. He was left in hospital for six months 30 years ago after a truck crashed into his car, leaving him with multiple injuries including a broken back and legs.

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The 63-year-old said the driver briefly stopped, before leaving the scene without passing on his details.

Mr Pankhurst believes the driver was travelling above the 30mph speed limit when it struck,

He was waiting at the crossing and had pressed the button and was waiting for the lights the change at the time of the collision.

Mr Pankhurst said today: “I saw the trailer coming towards me and thought ‘this is the end’.

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“But I managed to get the scooter back just a few inches – and that was just enough to save me.

“I just thought ‘I could have been killed by an articulated lorry’.

“I always look on the bright side, but we have reported what happened to the police, and I hope they find the driver.

“Another motorists in a car stopped and checked I was all right, and a man in a nearby shop took me in and looked after me while I waited for my wife.”

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Wife Laura said: “He escaped physical injuries but it shook him up terribly and I desperately want the police to catch him and take him off the roads.

“My husband is lucky to be alive. Next it could be a woman with a pushchair.

“More speed cameras are needed especially on all crossings and outside schools.”

“I’m just thankful my husband escaped injury and is still alive. When I saw the damage to his scooter I thought oh my god that could have easily been the police knocking on my door telling me im a widow.”

Police are investigating the incident.

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A spokesman said: “Officers were called to reports of a collision on Monday 29 February in the Dunscroft area of Doncaster.

“At about 1.30pm, it is reported that a flatbed type lorry was involved in a collision with a pedestrian who was using a mobility scooter.

“The lorry is described as green and black and was towing a white trailer. It is believed that the driver of the lorry stopped to see if the pedestrian, a man in his 60s, was okay before driving away from the area.

“No one was injured but the collision caused damage to the mobility scooter.”

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* Anyone in the area at the time of the incident, or who saw what happened is asked to call 101 quoting incident number 691 of 29 February. Information can also be emailed to [email protected].