Girl knocked over at school crossing after council sacks lollipop man

Tulissa Scurrah was walking the five minutes to school with two ten-year-old friends for the first time, but became confused when she reached the road and realised there was no patrol man.

She looked one way but not the other, and was in collision with a car, suffering deep cuts to her chin and forehead, a chipped tooth and bruises.

Her mother, Hannah Scurrah, 25, has criticised East Riding Council for not providing a lollipop man for the new term at Burlington Junior School in Bridlington.

The seven-year-old suffered cuts to her chin and forehead, a chipped tooth and a number of bruises.

She said: "Tulissa freely admits it was her fault and that she didn't look both ways, even though I've drilled it into her time and time again.

"Normally, we come out at a zebra crossing and there's a lollipop man there. The school appointed a caretaker to take on the role after the original lollipop man was sacked.

"But there hasn't been anyone there since the beginning of September and when Tulissa got to the road she didn't know what to do with herself.

"She looked to the left and saw a car slowing down and didn't look to the right and was clipped by the car.

"This was the first time she'd ever walked on her own while I was going to work but she won't be walking to school on her own again."

Other parents are now demanding that former lollipop man Colin Thompson, 71, is returned to his post, or replaced.

Lisa Jackson, 30, said: “It would not have happened if Colin was still there - it’s ridiculous.

“Everyone says parents need to teach their kids to cross the roads, but kids are kids. They are not adults.

“If a lollipop man had been there no-one would have got run over.

“My little boy is three years old and was going to cross the road and almost stepped out into the road. It’s dangerous.”

A council spokesman said: “The council has a number of vacancies for school crossing patrols across the East Riding.

“We are currently going through a recruitment process so we can provide patrols at those vacant sites and to take on standby patrols to provide temporary cover when needed.”