Stirling Corner crash eyewitness: 'It sent shivers down my spine' (From Borehamwood Times)

Stirling Corner crash eyewitness: 'It sent shivers down my spine'

10:47am Monday 29th October 2012 in News By Anna Slater

A man was cut free from his car after a “horrific” crash at Stirling Corner on Saturday morning.

The black car was travelling towards the A1 when it collided with a van on the roundabout, which separates Barnet and Borehamwood, just after 10.30am.

Eyewitness Steve Davies watched in shock as fire crews removed the roof of the car to help free a 50-year-old man who was trapped inside.

Mr Davies, whose wife, Carol, was severely injured in a crash at the roundabout ten years ago, said: “Seeing the crash sent a shiver down my spine and gave me a flashback of what Carol went through all those years ago.

“It was just horrific – I could not believe what I was seeing.

“I saw the firemen rip the roof of the car and remember thinking how scary it was. I saw them lift him onto a stretcher and put a neck brace on him. I felt sorry for the man, I hope he is okay.

“It is always sad to see an accident but seeing one at Stirling Corner is frustrating because there is that small possibility it could have been avoided if the traffic lights were on.”

After he was cut free from the car, paramedics rushed the man to Barnet General Hospital with neck and back pain.

Stirling Corner is currently manned by part-time signals from 3.30pm to 6.30pm, but a string of accidents on the roundabout, including one fatality, saw campaigners call from 24-hour traffic lights to be installed. 

Last month, GLA member Andrew Dismore launched a safety survey in a bid to convince Transport for London (TfL), who own the roundabout, to listen to their plight.

He said: “Accidents like the one that happened on Saturday may continue to happen unless we have the lights on constantly. It is the only way.

“It is not rocket science to realise that if you have traffic lights in a dangerous area, you are less likely to have collisions there.

“We are only asking for simple measures to be put in place. We have no heard any collisions when lights have been on proving it is not safe.”

So far, the results of his survey show that 96 per cent of people around the Borehamwood and Barnet area are in favour of round-the-clock signals.

A further 99 per cent of people who responded believe that the area is unsuitable for the elderly to cross.

In contrast, only one per cent of people believe the roundabout is safe for cyclists.

Mr Dismore added: “The results of this survey are very positive, proving people are in favour of round-the-clock measures.

“People still have time to voice their thoughts on my campaign. It is not too late to fill out a form.”

Campaigners will be discussing proposals for 24-hour traffic signals at the next Transport Forum on Thursday, November 1 at Hertsmere Civic Offices, Elstree Way, at 7pm.

To download a survey form, click here.