Witnesses Needed As Work Continues To Secure Care Package

The husband of a South Tyneside lollipop lady who suffered a severe brain injury after being hit by a car two years ago has launched an emotional appeal for witnesses who saw the incident to come forward, as lawyers continue work to help her secure the care package she needs.

Eleanor Harman, 60, from South Shields, was hospitalised for 11 months after being struck while on patrol on the town’s Beach Road on February 2^nd 2011.

Driver Margaret Boyles was fined £95 and ordered to pay costs last year after being found guilty of driving without due care and attention in relation to the incident. She also received four penalty points on her licence.

Irwin Mitchell’s serious injury team represents Mrs Harman and her husband, Harry, 71, and is helping them in their battle to access vital funds which will ensure she can get the continuing support she needs to deal with the ongoing effects of her injuries.

However, as part of their inquiries they are desperate to hear from witnesses who saw the crash including Jessica Anne Martin, a student teacher originally from Northern Ireland who saw the incident as she travelled home from work at Westoe Crown Primary School.

She provided a statement to Northumbria Police in relation to the crash and also gave evidence at the court hearing in January last year.

Harry Harman said: “Eleanor and I continue to live with the consequences of the incident every day, as her injuries mean she is simply unable to have the same independence she enjoyed.

“She continues to suffer from cognitive problems, memory loss and disorientation two years on from the crash and needs regular care and support to help her get the best from life.

“We would be hugely grateful for anyone who witnessed the incident, including Ms Martin, to come forward with information.”

John Davis, a Partner in the Serious Injury team at Irwin Mitchell’s Newcastle office who is representing the Harmans, said: “We are determined to gain justice for this family, but need to speak to anyone who witnessed the incident two years ago in order to take our enquiries further forward and ultimately get them the help they deserve.

“We know that Ms Martin was on the scene at the time of the incident and we need to speak to her to obtain her recollection of the events’.

“It is heartbreaking that Eleanor suffered this terrible injury while simply doing her job and any information related to the day could prove absolutely vital in our efforts to secure her the vital support she needs.”