Changes to traffic lights and the introduction of
truck side lights are being recommended after a woman was killed by a
heavy truck and trailer at a Christchurch intersection.
Elizabeth
Anne Rollinson, 59, was crossing Barrington Street in Spreydon about
7.15am on May 17 last year when she was crushed by the rear wheels of a
three-axle trailer unit as it turned left into the street.
It appeared she had stepped out into the road a few metres from the crossing and did not check for traffic.
The
truck's driver, Wayne Hanson, told a coronial inquest the red "don't
cross" light was lit and there were no pedestrians at the crossing when
he began turning into Barrington Street.
After turning, he looked back and saw Ms Rollinson lying on the road.
Witness Nathan Tewaka said it appeared Ms Rollinson was "oblivious" to the truck as she stepped into the road.
"When
she noticed the truck she froze and sort of freaked out ... I saw her
get hit by a sidearm that was halfway down the trailer," he said.
Another
witness said it appeared Ms Rollinson may have seen the truck's tail
lights go by and not noticed the trailer behind it, while a police
officer told the inquest the trailer had no side lights.
Coroner Christopher Devonport ruled Ms Rollinson died from multiple traumatic injuries.
He
said Ms Rollinson was not fully aware of the presence of Mr Hanson's
truck and it was not clear whether she had pushed the pedestrian
crossing button.
Mr Devonport recommended the lights at the
intersection be changed to a green arrow for traffic, which remains red
if there is a "green man" or flashing red man lit up.
He also
recommended the Ministry of Transport and New Zealand Transport Agency
investigate LED lights or reflectors being attached to the edge of heavy
trailers at pedestrian waist-height.
NZN