Pensioner knocked over by speeding car tells of ordeal

Hazel Ball may never walk again after she was badly injured by a hit-and-run driver.  She has spoken out from her hospital bed to appeal for help to find the person who left her with a series of injuries.

The 77-year-old, from Juniper Court in Cunningham Drive, Bridgemary, left her home to go for a walk and get some fresh air on Monday afternoon.  As she crossed the road, she was hit by a car, leaving her with a broken wrist, broken arm and a broken ankle.

She has been told she will spend around six weeks recovering in hospital from her injuries, but doctors have warned her that because of a recent hip replacement, she might not walk again.

‘I had been in all day and I needed a breath of fresh air,’ she said.  So I put my coat on and went out for a walk down the road.  I was walking towards the shop and decided to cross over. It was deserted when I started to cross.  I got about three-quarters of the way across and a car came out. They were driving fast and recklessly. They cut across to the wrong side of the road where I was walking. They took the corner and hit me on the side.’

‘They didn’t stop at all. They sped on. There were several people there who all ran out to help me because I couldn’t get up.’

Mrs Ball is pleading with anyone who saw the accident to come forward.  ‘Someone round that area knows who that car belongs to,’ she added.  It’s disgusting. I would like to see the person caught. It’s bad enough what they’ve done to me.’

‘I’m 77. My bones aren’t so good at that age.  I want to stop them doing it to someone else.  I feel absolutely shocked that anyone could do that. I was shaking as I lay there.’

Doctors have told Mrs Ball that her wrist is so badly broken that it will never be the same again.

‘I’m not going to be independent any more,’ she said.  I’m going to need a lot of help.’

Police are appealing for witnesses to the hit and run to come forward.  The accident happened at 3.30pm on Monday, January 2.

The maroon-coloured car came from Harris Road, drove left into Bridgemary Avenue then turned right into Cunningham Drive where it struck Mrs Ball.

The car did not stop and carried on to the A32.

Anyone with any information should call the Roads Policing Unit in Fratton on 101 or Crimestoppers anonymously on 0800 555 111.

Original article published by:  http://www.portsmouth.co.uk/news/local/east-hampshire/pensioner_knocked_over_by_speeding_car_tells_of_ordeal_1_3387885