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Original poster

Almost hit by electricity van- in shock and dreading telling mother

17 replies

alison222 · 28/09/2005 14:35

This morning on my way to collect DD from playgroup, we came down the road me pushing the double buggy, and a van for changing the lights with a lift thing on the back was parked half on the pavement with its hazard lights going. As I got level with it it pulled away into the road and the lift thing on the back caught the buggy and tipped it. Fortunately the mindee was not hurt at all, but I screamed until the van stopped. He was v appologetic - hadn't seen us at all. But he still had hazards on and didn't indicate to pull out.
I just keep thinking how much worse it could have been and am dreading telling the mother this evening.
I have written up an incident report, and have a witness, but in my shock didn't get details of the driver.
Should I have?
If you were the mother what would you think.
I keep trying to be sensible and say he is fine - I know it wasn't my fault BUT will the mother think so too?

OP posts:
katymac · 28/09/2005 14:38

Oh Alison - how awful for you all

You must tell the police (imo) I think it is really importent

Don't worry about the detials of the driver - the police may be able to find them

You must sit quietly - have you got anyone with you?

I've got to go to school now - I'll check back later

Lonelymum · 28/09/2005 14:40

FWIW as long as child was fine, as a mother I wouldn't be cross with you or worried about my child's safety with you at all. You are obviously upset by it, and that would mean a lot to me.

Original poster
alison222 · 28/09/2005 14:41

The driver did stop and check we were ok. Its not like it was a hit and run I just didn't think to get his details.
Why do you think I shold call the police if we weren't hurt? Just that it was a genuine accident on his part.
Yes I'm OK. Mindee had good lunch and is sleeping well.
I too have to do school run shortly so will look back later.

OP posts:
Original poster
alison222 · 28/09/2005 14:43

lonelymum thanks- I was trying to think how I'd feel andwhile I know thats how I shold react I'm not sure if I wouldn't brood about it later - to many what ifs iYSWIM

OP posts:
amynnixmum · 28/09/2005 14:43

OMG you poor thing

I think if I were the mother I would just be grateful that my child was alright.

What time is she due to collect him?

joanna4 · 28/09/2005 14:44

If you can show the tots mum that you followed it up in its entirety took all the necessary steps to document, it went to all the right channels -including reporting it to the police I think she will be satisfied.
I would have also called the parents as a precaution if something had happened to one of mine this early in the day i wouldnt want to find out at tea time.
Hope this helps

chicagomum · 28/09/2005 14:50

Poor you. I know exactly how you feel, Last month a van pulled out as I was crossing a side street and collided with pushchair containing ds with dd on the buggy borad, dd suffered cuts and bruises ds was absolutely fine. So as a mother (who in the past has had her children at a childminder) I of course would be horrified to hear what had happened would feel enormous guilt that I wasn't there to protect my child, but at no point would I be blaming you. One question though, would you not consider phoning her to tell her (reassuring her all is absolutely fine) rather than waiting until this evening to find out or do you think that would be counterproductive as she'll only worry until she sees the child. Just thinking that I would be a little upset at being told several hours after the event.

mumfor1sttime · 28/09/2005 15:08

I had similar incident a few weeks ago at a side street, where taxi driver clipped the side of the buggy and didnt even stop. In my confusion and because I was so shocked, I didnt get number plate or taxi rank etc. I phoned police, they said they couldnt do anything unless DS was hurt and I needed full details of vehicle.

It does shake you up, but if I was the mother I would not be angry or upset with you, you have done every thing you can.

Original poster
alison222 · 28/09/2005 16:16

I have reportedi t to the police but because no-one was hurt and I didn't take the registration they won't do anything further.
I figured the mum would worry all afternoon if I rang to say he was nearly hurt. He is to be collected in an hour - so if I called now I don't think it would help much - just look odd I waited so long to call???

OP posts:
waterfalls · 28/09/2005 16:24

I think considering no-one was hurt, the mother will be pleased you have told her and not pushed it under the carpet (which could easily be done)

And I dont think ringing her this morning would have been necessary unless of cause the mindee was traumatised by the accident.

kalex · 28/09/2005 16:27

Any idea which Electric company it was?

KBear · 28/09/2005 16:32

Alison - I understand your shock entirely having experienced the horror of my DS running up the road being a train the other day and a woman reversing off her drive way at high speed and missing him by about an inch.

He screeched to a halt and I yelled "stand still" (I was about three houses back). She carried on reversing and ignored him completely but I mouthed "you could have killed him" to her through the closed window.

OK, I said "you could have f**king killed him" but not proud of that! But I did mouth it silently so the children couldn't hear.

I shook for about half an hour. You're not even safe on the pavement.

Poor you, I don't think there's any point in following it up with the police, it was an accident after all. Make a note in your accident book and ask her to sign it though.

JELLYJELLY · 28/09/2005 16:33

I follow the same - do you know what company it was, could you complain to them and ask them to investigate which employees were working in the area. You know the job that they were doing so that narrows it down at abit.

Personally i wouldnt let this go.

KBear · 28/09/2005 16:35

Hmm, thinking about my last sentence, I don't think the police will do much but I agree with JellyJelly.

Maybe call the electricity company and make a complaint. He shouldn't have been on the pavement anyway and if the job necessitated parking there he should have taken extra care when pulling away shouldn't he.

Original poster
alison222 · 28/09/2005 18:41

Hmm I think it was the electric co it was a big pale blue lower care e onthe side of the van that looked like the logo on my bills.

Mum looked very shocked when I told her but was OK as no-ome had been hurt and I'd reported it I guress there wasn't too much more to be said. She did say since there was no harm done she didn't want the police to persue it ( they rang me back in the middle of the children's tea to see what I wanted to do as it would be difficult they thught to trace)

She didn't seem too bothered about tracing the driver - but now I don't know if I should try

OP posts:
JELLYJELLY · 30/09/2005 13:05

My only thought would be what if the driver hits and kills a child next time. Granted he will proably look alot more next time.

You always here in papers things like this that happened a second time and if only they had reported it. Iyswim.

Chandra · 30/09/2005 13:15

Just seen this I'm shocked. Glad no one got hurt. I hope you and the mum feel better soon (I know is not your fault or hers, but I suppose the "what if's" you may be going trough should be terrible. Many hugs)

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