A mum is calling for action after her son was knocked down outside a Dundee primary school.
Seven-year-old Liam McNaughton was leaving Glebelands Primary School on Wednesday when he was involved in a collision with a car.
The primary three pupil was crossing the road outside the main gate on Baffin Street when mum Vicky heard a “thump”.
Vicky, 32, says the driver was not to blame – instead criticising motorists who had chosen to double park on the street.
She told The Courier: “My youngest was asleep in the car. I was outside the car on the opposite side of the street.
‘It was frightening to hear that thump’
“It was frightening to see what happened and hearing that thump – it all happened so quickly.
“This wasn’t the driver’s fault and thankfully they weren’t going at any speed.
“There were so many double parked cars so the driver was forced to go onto the wrong side of the road.
“Given the wet weather on Wednesday, this was maybe worse than usual.”
The mum-of-three says Liam received a bump to the head and bruising on his elbow and foot, but was not badly injured.
She said: “The school and some of the other adults were fantastic in helping.
“Liam went back inside the school and got an ice pack and a cup of tea.
“We think this could have been much worse if he didn’t have a big coat on and the hood on his jacket and jumper up.
“We took him to Ninewells Hospital as a precaution but thankfully everything is fine.”
The incident comes just weeks after road safety calls were made when another seven-year-old boy was hit by a car outside Ballumbie Primary School in Whitfield.
Petition over crossing options at Glebelands
Vicky has now started a petition calling for “safer crossing” options for pupils at Glebelands – including the return of a patroller on nearby Arbroath Road.
She said: “Liam is not the first child this has happened to outside Glebelands.
“The parking at the school is difficult at the best of times.
“Police and traffic wardens are there on occasions but the police can’t be expected to be there day in, day out.
“There was previously a school crossing patrol on Arbroath Road and there has never been one outside the main gates on Baffin Street.
“Parents are agreeing it’s only a matter of time before something worse happens.”
It is understood that the lack of a crossing patroller on Arbroath Road is due to staff absence.
Dundee City Council confirmed it was aware of the incident on Wednesday.
A spokesman said: “The school is appealing to all motorists to show care and consideration when driving near the primary and not to double park.”
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