Parents demand action after teenagers hit by car on northern beaches ‘deadly crossing’

PARENTS are demanding action over a “deadly” pedestrian crossing after two teenagers suffered head injuries after being hit by a car

Samantha Pugh, Frankie Parrino and Moses Dorsey at the pedestrians crossing where they were hit by a car in Frenches Forest. Picture: Adam Yip

PARENTS are demanding action over a “deadly” pedestrian crossing after two teenagers suffered head injuries after being hit by a car.

The teens were three-quarters of the way across the Frenchs Forest crossing when a driver knocked them off the bike they were both riding earlier this month.

Frankie Parrino, 13, spent almost a week in hospital with a fractured skill, and friend Moses Dorsey, 14, suffered concussion, after the accident on Blackbutts Rd.

Frankie Parrino, 13, spent almost a week in hospital with a fractured skill after the accident. Picture: Supplied

Frankie’s mum Andria Koolloos, 38, and Bec Dorsey, 44, mother of Moses want the crossing moved or traffic calming measures put in place – though they admit the boys weren’t wearing helmets.

Mrs Koolloos said: “They are just both so lucky – they could’ve been dead.”

However, while Northern Beaches Council said it’s investigating, a proposal to move the crossing three years ago didn’t go ahead when it was decided it would make visibility worse.

Zig zag markings and kerb blisters were then added.

The boys, who were on their way back from Warringah Mall with friend Samantha Pugh, 14, had both hopped on Moses’ bike.

Mrs Koolloos rushed to the scene of the accident near Pringle Av from her nearby home.

“All I saw were ambulances and police cars blocking the road,” she said.

“I just screamed out. I left my car and bolted to the scene, where I found him sitting in the ambulance, blood coming from his head.

“He was a little bit confused but he was saying ‘I’m so sorry mummy, I love you, I love you.’

“What we think has happened is that the car has hit them both, sent Moses flying on to the windscreen, he’s bounced from the windscreen and we think Frankie’s hit the ground hence the fractured skull.”

Northern Beaches Council said it’s investigating, a proposal to move the crossing three years ago didn’t go ahead when it was decided it would make visibility worse. Picture: Adam Yip

The pair were taken to Royal North Shore Hospital and Frankie was later transferred to Sydney Children’s Hospital in Randwick.

Moses suffered concussion and whiplash.

Mrs Koolloos claims drivers come straight off the busy roundabout and don’t see the crossing.

“Everybody that I’ve spoken to have all said it has to go or be moved,” she said.

“Maybe some speed humps or traffic control measures as well.

“They’re really just coming into that roundabout way too fast.

“Drivers are looking both ways, rather than in front of them.

“People are looking, trying to get through it. They’re like ‘gotta go now’, and as they turn the corner they’re not thinking about that crossing that’s right there.

“It’s deadly.”

The parents of the teens want action to be taken

Davidson High School student Frankie said he can’t remember the accident.

“We let a car pass apparently and we started crossing and got three-quarters across and then it hit us,” he said.

Moses’ mum, Bec Dorsey from Frenchs Forest, said the crossing was notorious in the community.

“Everybody has their story about it. It’s really disturbing to know we could have lost two of our boys.”

The female driver did stop and police said the incident was being investigated.

Moses’ mum, Bec Dorsey from Frenchs Forest, said the crossing was notorious in the community.

However, pedestrian safety campaigner Harold Scruby said the answer wasn’t to move the crossing.

The chairman and CEO of the Pedestrian Council of Australia, said: “By the time it’s further away they’ve sped up – they (the crossings) should be at the roundabout.”

He added road rules state cyclists should dismount using pedestrian crossings.

Northern Beaches Council’s general manager environment and infrastructure Ben Taylor said: “This is a reminder of the need for motorists and pedestrians to take extra care at crossings.

“Motorists are reminded to slow down and take care and pedestrians are reminded to be cautious when using pedestrian crossings and to remember it can never be assumed that cars have seen them and will stop.”