‘Lucky’ crash victim calls for an end to risky turns on A3090 (From Basingstoke Gazette)

‘Lucky’ crash victim calls for an end to risky turns on A3090

2:44pm Friday 21st September 2012 in Romsey

A FATHER-OF-THREE says he feels lucky to be alive after a crash that left him in a coma for eight days.

Chris Gregory’s heart stopped four times after his BMW hit a trailer at the A3090 at Romsey.

The lorry driver, who is still on crutches and faces a long road to recovery, has called for greater safety measures on the road where it happened.

Chris said one firefighter who helped cut him from his car said it was the third-worst road traffic accident he had seen.

“I know I’m extremely lucky – I should be dead.

“The doctor said that, 20 years ago, I would never have made it.”

Chris, who lives in Marchwood, suffered a broken thigh in two places, a broken lower leg in three places, a broken pelvis in two places and a broken neck and broken ribs.

He also had a punctured lung, a tear in his kidney and his right knee was shattered Chris spent two weeks in intensive care and a total of eight weeks in hospital and was then bedridden at home for a further two months.

He said that when he saw photos of his car after the accident, he was left “open-mouthed” at how he had escaped.

Southampton Magistrates’ Court heard how the trailer Chris crashed into was being driven by James Hunt, 20, of Crook Hill, Romsey Road.

Hunt pleaded not guilty to causing the incident at 6pm on February 4 when he tried to cut across the quiet dual-carriageway, rather than drive round the nearby roundabout at the junction with the A36.

However, the magistrate found Hunt guilty of driving without due care and attention and he was fined £300, ordered to pay costs of £620, a £16 victim surcharge and given seven points on his licence.

Chris believes drivers should not be allowed to cut across the A3090 and they should be forced to use the roundabout.

He wants signs telling drivers not to cut across the road or for the highways team to block off the ‘cut throughs’.

Mel Kendal, Hampshire County Council deputy leader and executive member for environment said an investigation was carried out on the road following the accident reviewing the crossover points, road surface, road lining, markings and the potential for sign amendments.

He said there were a number of access points on the A3090 leading to private land and residents’ homes, but the council will install bollards at the crossover nearest to the Ower roundabout to deter motorists from cutting across the dual carriageway there.

He said further signs on the approach to the roundabout with the A36 would be difficult to do without detracting from existing signs.