Man fights for his life after accident in Clarence Street, York (From York Press)

Man fights for his life after accident in Clarence Street, York

8:00am Thursday 18th March 2010 in

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AN ELDERLY man was left fighting for his life after a horrific accident involving a lorry in York.

The 80-year-old, who is thought to be local, was crossing Clarence Street shortly after 3pm yesterday when he was hit by a skip lorry heading towards Bootham.

An ambulance was there within seconds of the accident, according to witnesses, but the man’s injuries were severe and, at the time of going to print, he was in a critical condition in York Hospital. Les Smith, of LSE Tool and Plant Hire in Clarence Street, said he had seen the pensioner crossing the road before the accident.

He said: “I was at the other side of the wagon when it happened. He was on the island in the middle of the road, but I don’t know whether he stepped out or not.”

Scott Hartley, who works at the nearby True Colours tattoo parlour, said: “I just heard a lot of shouting and ‘stop, stop’ and when I went outside there was an old guy outside bleeding profusely from his leg.”

The skip lorry, owned by Martins of York, was covered in tarpaulins to preserve evidence as accident investigators from North Yorkshire Police went to work. A spokesman for Martins of York said the driver of the skip lorry was “devastated”.

Clarence Street was closed after the accident as were roads in The Groves and Lord Mayor’s Walk.

Road closures led to widespread traffic jams, as motorists were re-routed.

With Clarence Street closed because of the accident and Gillygate closed for roadworks, there was heavy traffic throughout the area.

Vehicles travelling along Monkgate that would normally have turned into Lord Mayor’s Walk were diverted through the city centre. The traffic at 5.30pm was moving slowly, although drivers in Stonebow were experiencing long delays as vehicles filtered in from Colliergate and Parliament Street.

Many buses were diverted and there were also delays further afield. Taxi driver Gene Nutt said he was stuck in traffic for an hour, with lengthy queues in New Earswick as traffic was re-routed.

The driver of the lorry was taken to Fulford police station after the accident for questioning.

Witnesses to the accident should phone North Yorkshire Police on 0845 6060247.