POLICE are warning people not to walk on the A12 after a teenage girl was seriously injured as she ran onto the dual carriageway to get her trainer which had been thrown into the road as a prank.
POLICE are warning people not to walk on the A12 after a teenage girl was seriously injured as she ran onto the dual carriageway to get her trainer which had been thrown into the road as a prank.
The 14-year-girl had been playing with friends in the underpass beneath the A12 at Lucy Lane, in Stanway, at 7.55pm on Thursday.
Her trainer was thrown up onto the A12 and she went to get it. She was hit by a car travelling in the direction of Ipswich, which did not stop.
The girl was taken to Colchester General Hospital with serious injuries to her right ankle and severe cuts to her left leg.
Pc Steve Woods, of Stanway Road Policing Unit, said: "It's lucky we're not dealing with a fatal accident here."
"All parents should be aware and know where their children are. If they live close to a road such as the A12 they should be aware of the dangers and make sure their children are aware of the dangers," he warned.
"They should never venture onto the road and keep well away from it."
He said if anything needs to be recovered from the road call the police.
Police are appealing for witnesses to Thursday night's accident. It is believed the car, which struck the girl was a blue Subaru.
It was dark at the time and the driver may not have been aware that he or her had hit a person. Police are not sure whether the car would have been damaged by the impact.
Pc Woods said: "If any motorists were travelling along the road and saw anything unusual or noticed something that could help in identifying the vehicle please contact us. We would also ask the driver who may have been involved in the incident to come forward and help with the inquiry."
Anyone with information should contact Stanway Road Policing Unit on 01206 762512.
nAn 18-year-old man was charged with criminal damage and endangering road users after he allegedly threw something onto the A12 from a bridge over the Colchester northern bypass, which landed onto a car bonnet.
The car driver went after the youth, caught him and held onto him until police arrived.
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