Pedestrian barriers installed after 78-year-old hit by car

Pedestrian barriers have been installed outside an Ettalong construction site after a 78-year old woman was struck by a car near the corner of Booker Bay Rd and Murray St on Sunday, July 9.

A resident had taken pictures of the site just days before (below), because the construction company had closed the footpath, forcing pedestrians onto the road.

Residents are blaming this for the accident.

They are calling for better protection of pedestrians in Ettalong, saying the woman was forced onto the road because the footpath was blocked by construction work.

They said it was a common problem, as "there is so much development occurring around here".

"I've been forced onto roadways at least twice, at Booker Bay Rd and at Eastern Rd," said one Ettalong resident.

"Another footpath in Webb Rd was so churned up, it was dangerous to walk on it."

Another resident said: "I saw the owner pulling the fencing out to the edge of the footpath the week before and another lady saw it while walking her dog.

"Another neighbour reported the fencing to the Work and Safety people the day of the accident.

"They came that afternoon.

"They were there first thing the next morning to have everything put in place correctly.

"They took lots of photos, as did the police."

SOURCE:

Media statement, 12 Jul 2023

Police media unit, NSW Police

Woman struck by vehicle in Ettalong

A 78-year-old Ettalong woman has been struck by a vehicle near the corner of Booker Bay and Ferry Rds, Ettalong, just before midday on Sunday, July 9.

Police and NSW Ambulance paramedics attended and treated the woman for a serious arm injury.

Ms Karol Smith was airlifted to Royal North Shore Hospital where she was found to also be suffering head and pelvis injuries.

Ettalong resident Ms Jill Colwell said: "It's my understanding that the lady who was hit had taken her dog down to the waterfront.

"She does this most days and sits on the seat at the Radford memorial.

"We often have a chat while our dogs have a play.

"It's my understanding that she and her dog were walking back from the waterfront on their way to their home in Murray St."

Police said the injuries were not considered life-threatening.

However, neighbour Ms Lynne Robertson said: "Karol is very, very damaged and won't be able to do anything for quite some time.

"Her quality of life has definitely been impacted, as well as her daughter's who will need to care for her.

She is still in hospital with both arms and hands broken, left side pelvis and right side hip.

They have operated on her arms and hands, but not hips yet.

Ms Robertson said her dog was also injured.

"I took it to the vet hospital.

"I live across the road from the incident and didn't see anything until I saw all the ambulances.

"Nobody saw what happened unfortunately."

However, residents believe she had been forced onto the road by construction work which had closed the nearby footpath.

The driver of the Toyota involved, a 32-year-old man, was arrested and taken to Gosford Hospital for mandatory testing.

An investigation has commenced into the circumstances surrounding the crash. Inquiries continue.

The previous night another elderly woman died in Ocean Beach Rd, Woy Woy, after being struck by a car.

SOURCE:

Media statement, 12 Jul 2023

Police Media Unit, NSW Police