Plea for care after sad death of pensioner

Plea for care after sad death of pensioner

26 August 2015

A ROWALLANE councillor has urged pedestrians to take more care at an accident hotspot in Ballynahinch, where a pensioner died earlier this month.

Councillor William Walker said he was “in despair” at the number of people crossing the road dangerously to the town’s Market Square.

Eighty six year-old Pat Branniff died after being struck by a lorry in Windmill Street in the town as he was making his weekly visit to Ballynahinch market.

The incident happened close to the High Street junction and is the third major accident involving lorries at this part of the market town in recent years. An elderly woman was knocked down and killed at the 

same location several years ago while a man in his sixties lost a leg after he was struck by an articulated vehicle.

The most recent tragedy has sparked fresh calls from politicians for pedestrian barriers to provided at Windmill Street to increase people’s safety at this part of the town.

Councillor Walker is among those who have met Roads Service officials calling for action.

“People are crossing the road directly opposite Market Square,” he said. “I am in despair watching that from my office.

“I want to say to people — use the pedestrian crossing.”