Safety fears have been raised after an asylum seeker was wounded in a Wiltshire crash.
A man, aged in his 30s, was struck by a Volkswagen Caravelle van near a bus stop on the A3102 at approximately 6.40am on Thursday (17 August).
The incident happened outside The Wiltshire Hotel in Royal Wootton Bassett, where the victim – an asylum seeker – was housed by the Home Office.
The victim was rushed to Southmead Hospital in Bristol in critical condition. He’s believed to be in a serious but stable condition at present.
The circumstances surrounding this particular road traffic collision remain under investigation by the Serious Collision Investigation Team (SCIT).
The driver of the van, a man aged in his 40s, was arrested on suspicion of drug driving and causing serious injury by careless driving. He’s since been released on bail.
There are no pavements along the major route, meaning people staying at The Wiltshire Hotel are forced to walk down the carriageway to reach the town.
Councillor Allison Bucknell, who represents Lyneham and lives in Royal Wootton Bassett, told Wiltshire 999s its unsafe for asylum seeker to stroll along the A3102.
She said: “It’s not safe at all but you can make it safer by wearing high vis clothing and walking on the correct side of the road.
“There is a protocol for anyone walking along a highway – which involves wearing visible clothing and walking towards oncoming traffic – but sometimes that’s not what we’re observing.
“I have asked that the advice is reinforced with [the asylum seekers].”
“Local residents have repeatedly raised road safety concerns with the police, which are passed on to the relevant authorities that are supporting the residents of The Wiltshire Hotel.
“It would appear that this accident was nothing to do with those road safety concerns, however, people are keen to ensure this message is driven home because it could be next time.”
Police investigating the near-fatal incident are keen to speak to the driver of a HGV who may have witnessed the pedestrian prior to the collision.
Witnesses, or anyone with dashcam footage, should call the SCIT on 01225 694597 and quote log number 37 of 17 August. Alternatively, email [email protected].
