Sheffield mother speaks of 'traumatic experience' after four-year-old daughter hit by car

A Sheffield mother has spoken of the “horrendous experience” her family have endured after her four-year-old daughter was hit by a car that allegedly skipped a red light.
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Emily Lyons was crossing the road outside her home on Prince of Wales Road, close to the junction with Hastilar Road, Manor, when her daughter Lucie collided with a silver Vauxhall Corsa.

The mother-of-four, who works as a childminder, claims the traffic lights were on red at the time of the accident but the driver disputes this.

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She said: “Lucie went onto his bonnet, into the air and onto the floor.

Lucie's face swelled up the following day.Lucie's face swelled up the following day.
Lucie's face swelled up the following day.

"She’s actually fine, she’s so, so much better than I thought she would be.”

Lucie suffered cuts to her face, bruising and whiplash following the collision and was taken to hospital and monitored for four hours as doctors were concerned about potential swelling to her brain. She did not suffer any serious injuries, however.

Emily added: “She’s the least affected. My eldest daughter who’s seven, she's been by far the most affected and been really nervous on the road. We have to cross that road at least four times a day.

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"She was screaming and saying it’s going to happen again the first time we crossed after the accident.”

Lucie has recovered well, her mum said.Lucie has recovered well, her mum said.
Lucie has recovered well, her mum said.

The collision took place at the traffic lights directly outside the family’s home where they have lived for eight years.

Emily said: “So many times we have been crossing and a car or van has just whizzed straight past and not paid attention to what’s going on.

"Thankfully the car was going very slow. The cars on the near side had all stopped, as you approach you are looking to see what’s coming. I could see him coming up slowly and I was thinking has he seen the red light and he just didn’t stop.”

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Emily is now seeking witnesses to the crash, at around 2.15pm on Monday, July 6, to help the police investigation, which she described as ‘slow and stressful’. One woman saw the collision and also claimed the lights were on red at the time, but the police have told her they need more evidence.

She said: “The police have been very, very slow in getting back to me. I had to chase them up.

"I just feel like they are not taking it seriously at all.”

She added: “Lucie went through a traumatic experience. At the time I didn't know she was going to be OK.”

A South Yorkshire Police spokesperson said the driver is assisting with their enquiries.

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They added: “Officers have been in contact with the girl’s family to provide support. Whilst our enquiries are ongoing, officers are keen to speak to anyone who may have witnessed the collision.”

Anyone with information should call 101 quoting incident number 479 of 6 July 2020.