Questions after care home OAP injured

QUESTIONS were being asked today after a pensioner sustained a broken elbow and ankle colliding with a car minutes after walking out of an Ipswich respite home.

Police said they were contacted after staff noticed the 77-year-old woman wandering out of Hawthorn Drive Residential Home for Older People in Chantry.

Moments later, around 3.15pm, she was involved in a collision with a car at the junction of Hawthorn Drive and Birkfield Drive.

A spokesman for Suffolk County Council, which runs the home, said the authority was looking into the incident, although it did not appear staff had acted incorrectly.

He said: “An elderly lady walked out of the residential home in Hawthorn Drive into the road where she was clipped by a car's wing mirror.

“She has suffered a broken ankle and elbow and is in hospital. Everyone at the home is very upset by the incident, and we all wish her a full and speedy recovery.

“She left through the front door, and was pursued by staff but unfortunately they could not catch up with her before she reached the road. The door is locked, but has a push-button to open it.

“Suffolk County Council is looking into all the details of the incident. Early indications are that all staff acted correctly.”

It is believed the woman lives in Bloomfield Street in the California area of Ipswich.

Off-duty paramedic Kevin Gooden, who lives in Hawthorn Drive near where the accident took place, went to the injured woman's aid.

His wife, Eileen, said: “We heard the screech of breaks coming from the road and if something like that happens he always goes out to see what is going on and if he can help.

“Once he got outside he looked after the woman and saw to her leg. He also kept her comfortable and stayed with her until the emergency services arrived.

“Kevin didn't seem to think she was that bad which is good news. He often does that, goes out when there is an accident. And unfortunately there are often accidents here as it is a dangerous bit of road”

The accident is one of two that occurred in Hawthorn Drive, Chantry, Ipswich, within the space of 24 hours.

Today a 14-year-old boy was also hurt after a collision with another car at the junction of Hawthorn Drive and Kingfisher Avenue, at around 8.30am.

A police spokesman said the boy's injuries were not thought to be life threatening and he was conscious and breathing.

It is believed the boy was walking to Chantry High School when the accident took place. The car involved was said to be a Vauxhall Vectra.

An off-duty staff responder was the first on scene. Paramedics then treated the teenager at the scene before taking him to Ipswich Hospital for further treatment.