Calls for traffic calming after teenage deaths (From Times Series)

Calls for traffic calming after teenage deaths

10:01am Thursday 10th January 2008

• Print
• Email
• Share

The tragic deaths of two teenagers near a Barnet cinema have raised concerns over the safety of the road.

The victims, 18-year-old Katie Whelan, and 17-year-old Jason Howard, were killed in separate incidents within metres of each other along Great North Road, near the junction with Station Road.

Floral tributes now line the railings and adorn the tree where the deaths occurred, near the Odeon, just days apart.

Miss Whelan, of New Barnet, died on Saturday morning after being hit by a suspected drink driver on her way to a party at The Queens Arms pub nearby.

Paramedics tried to resuscitate her at the scene at about 1.30am before taking her to Barnet Hospital. But doctors were unable to save her and she was later pronounced dead.

A 36-year-old man, arrested at the scene on suspicion of drink-driving and causing death by dangerous driving, was bailed to return to a north London police station in early March pending further inquiries.

A schoolfriend of Miss Whelan, Anthony Brennan, 19, who works at The Hair Lounge near the junction where the accident happened, said: "I knew her as a bubbly person. It's shocking this has happened.

"This is a really bad part of the road, cars go way too fast and too many people are getting hurt.

"There should be speed cameras to slow drivers down because it can be really dangerous."

Miss Whelan's death came a day after Jason Howard died on Friday. He had been found seriously injured in the back of a stolen car following a crash on Sunday, December 30.

The driver and other passenger left him after the car careered off the road into a bus stop and tree just after 1.30am.

Three fire crews used cutting equipment to free the teenager in the rear seat before he was taken to Royal Free hospital, in Hampstead, in a critical condition.

A tribute left on the tree reads: "Dear Jason, I'm so sorry it had to end like this. You were a good kid and you didn't deserve this. I miss you so much Jay. Rest in peace."

His parents have appealed for anyone who may have information or witnessed the accident to come forward to help them understand what happened to their son.

A police spokesman said: "The family continue to grieve for their sadly-missed and much-loved son."

Two teenagers, aged 17 and 18, have been arrested and bailed in connection with the incident.

With five other serious injuries in the road in the past four months, residents fear is has become an accident blackspot and criticised Barnet Council for failing to tackle reckless driving.

Rebecca Hanley, 40, a mother-of-two, of Leicester Road, said: "In the past few weeks, another boy was seriously injured further along the road. Three families torn apart because the council values the motor car more than it values its residents.

"Vehicles are able to travel too fast along that stretch of road and the council has done nothing to reduce the speed of traffic.

"Until the council reviews the layout, and attempts to slow down traffic, it will continue to soak its hands in the blood of road-traffic victims."

A council spokesman said: "As is the case with all fatal accidents, we will be meeting the police to discuss and assess the causes.

"In these cases, it seems extremely unlikely that traffic calming measures would have helped. If there is an element of criminal behaviour involved, the impact of speed cameras or speed restrictions is vastly reduced.

"The A1000 is a key road into the borough, and also a busy bus route, so it is unlikely traffic calming would be appropriate."

Police are asking anyone with information on Miss Whelan's death to contact the collision investigation unit at Alperton traffic garage on 020 8998 5319.

Anyone who may have witnessed the accident that killed Mr Howard, should contact Colindale CID on 020 8733 4595.

• Print
• Email
• Share