HEROIC teachers jumped into action when an 83-year-old woman was hit by a car as children made their way home from school.

The 83-year-old woman has been moved to intensive care after she was hit by a reversing car in Irvon Hill Road, Wickford as parents waited for the Wickford Junior and Infants Schools at the end of the school day.

The woman has injuries to her head, chest and back.

The Lollipop lady outside of Wickford Junior School was on hand the moment the woman was hit.

She stopped traffic passing as the woman was treated by teachers and members of the public while more teachers halted traffic from the other side of the accident.

Police and the Ambulance service arrived at the school around an hour later.

Hugh Hunter, a resident of nearby Spencers Court said: “As the schools were leaving, the woman went to cross the road as thought the car was driving away.”

He feel that the safety of the elderly woman and children as they leave for school would be much greater if there was a larger police presence in and around Irvon Hill Road.

Mr Hunter said: “This would never have happened if we did have the police there. If the council decided to place a sign outside, no one would listen. We need more police or Community Support Officers in the area to check for the children and keep them safe.”

My Hunter says that roads have been blocked by parents parking their cars before running in to pick up their children and even arguments have broken out over the business of the street.

He continued: “If someone would be there to monitor what is going on outside the school, it will keep the children and people like this woman safe.”

Mr Hunter and the Spencers Court petitioners are fearful of people being seriously hurt or even killed on the road.

Following the closure of Wickford Police Station, they worry nothing will change.