'Witney has a real community spirit' (From Witney Gazette)

'Witney has a real community spirit'

2:40pm Friday 2nd February 2007 in Witney By Tim Hughes

SHOPPERS and market traders have been praised after coming to the assistance of a pedestrian hit by a bus.

Clare Fletcher, from Mirfield Road, Witney, said people had been 'marvellous' for helping her sister, Sheila Radcliffe, following the incident in Witney Market Square, at 10.30am on Saturday, January 27.

As reported in the Gazette, Mrs Radcliffe, 43, was left with bruising and a dislocated shoulder after being struck by the Stagecoach bus, while helping her disabled mother out of a car.

They had been on their way to watch a pantomime at the town's Corn Exchange, featuring Mrs Radcliffe's brother Tom Fletcher - a member of the Witney Amateur Dramatic Society.

The family say they were impressed by the reaction of local people, who rallied round to help, including a passing doctor and nurse, and stall-holders from the market. They have also praised the emergency services for their professionalism.

Mrs Fletcher said: "I want to thank all those people that came to the aid of my sister. An awful lot of people helped on the scene, and it showed Witney has a real community spirit.

"I don't know the names of all the people that helped, but a nurse and doctor, who happened to be shopping, came to her assistance, along with stall-holders, who brought coats to keep her warm."

"The police and ambulance crew were also fantastic."

Mrs Radcliffe, who lives in Cardiff, was taken by ambulance to the John Radcliffe Hospital, Oxford, where she was treated and discharged.

She said: "I'd rather be hit by a bus in Witney than anywhere else!"

Thames Valley Police spokesman, Toby Shergold, said: "This was all part of a day's work for the police officer on duty."

He said an open enquiry was continuing into the incident, though no arrests or charges had been made.

Stagecoach spokesman, Chris Child, said: "We are helping the police with their enquiries, as well as conducting our own investigation."