Car accident could have been much worse
Phil Duffy
Northern News Services
Yellowknife (Apr 25/01) - A six year-old girl sustained minor injuries to her leg on the morning of April 20 when she was struck by a taxicab while crossing the street to her school.
The girl, whose name cannot be released because of an ongoing police investigation, was crossing Franklin Ave. at Matonabee on her way to Mildred Hall elementary school when she was struck by a taxi turning on to Franklin.
She was taken to Stanton Regional Hospital with minor lower leg injuries and later released.
According to witnesses the girl was crossing with the walk signal at the crosswalk just 50 feet from the end of school zone sign. The taxi driver, whose name also cannot be released, was not speeding, and appeared to simply not see her.
Deputy Fire Chief Mike Lowing warns that this type of accident is not all that uncommon. "Luckily this was a minor accident that could have been much worse. This should be used as a major reason for improving driving awareness concerning children," said Lowing.
"All our children are thoroughly schooled in street safety, including the proper method of crossing a street in their health classes," said school Principal Marion Barnes.
