Principal’s plea after pupils narrowly escape tractor smash in Donaghmore

A PRIMARY school principal has made an “urgent and serious” appeal to motorists in Donaghmore, after a tragedy was narrowly avoided close to the school gates.

Almost three weeks ago, a tractor struck one vehicle outside St Patrick’s Primary School in the village, before mounting the pavement, striking another vehicle and coming within inches of striking three pupils of the school.

Details of this serious crash emerged this week, as Dera Cahalane, the principal of St Patrick’s spoke out over the daily fear which staff, pupils and parents are facing from the oncoming traffic along the Pomeroy Road.

While a police investigation is currently continuing into the crash, Ms Cahalane said she feared it may be only a matter of time until another accident happens at the school.

“We are thankful and we are counting our blessings that no-one was injured or worse in the collision, it has really focused our minds on the need for action,” she said.

“One of the big problems, is that the school sits on a downhill slope on the way out of the town and the traffic is gathering up speed as it passes the school.

“We have a lighted sign alerting drivers to a school crossing, but it just doesn’t seem to be having an impact. Too many drivers are not slowing down enough.

“There are also speed bumps, but again they don’t seem to be having much effect. There is a high volume of large commercial lorries and large tractors and agricultural vehicle’s passing through each day and because of the wide chassis of these vehicles, they don’t have to slow down for the humps.”

‘frightening’

While the principal is hoping for practical measures in the form of the new 20mph speed limit scheme by the Department of Infrastructure and possibly a pelican crossing, she is also calling on motorists to slow down.

“When you see the size of these lorries and tractors and the speed they are travelling at, it’s frightening.

“There are 224 pupils at this school and probably four times that at the Convent (St Joseph’s Grammar), so motorists have to expect delays in the morning time and evening time. All we are asking for is some patience and care.”

She added, “It’s an old cliche at this stage, but kill your speed before you kill a child. It’s that serious. Now with the dark evening, and the roads getting wetter and more slippery, obviously the danger is even worse.”

Mid Ulster MP Francie Molloy was joined by party colleague Linda Dillon MLA and Cllr Sean McGuigan when he met with Ms Cahalane, Geraldine Donnelly, the principal of St Joseph’s Grammar and concerned pupils, to discuss a way forward in tackling the dangers.

Mr Molloy said he is hoping to arrange a meeting with the PSNI and Road Service officials over the coming weeks to discuss what options are best to improve road safety at the primary school.

“When we met with the school principals and the pupils, you could really feel how much they are afraid of another serious accident,” said the MP.

“Road safety in Donaghmore has been a growing problem for some time and I think now, after the accident from a few weeks ago, something will have to be done and soon.

“I think one of the preferred options, would be a pelican crossing, which will force these vehicles to stop and wait for the pupils to cross.”

A spokesperson for the Department for Infrastructure confirmed they had been invited to attend a meeting on road safety in the village. They added, “The Department can also confirm St Patrick’s Primary School is not scheduled on the phase two of the part-time 20mph speed limit schemes. The school will be reassessed for phase three and selected in order of merit based on other schools and competing factors.”

Police confirmed that they attended a report of a three vehicle road traffic collision in Donaghmore on Friday, November 5 and are continuing to investigate.