Published: 14/09/2009 00:00 - Updated: 22/10/2009 17:08

Man, 53, is killed as he works on road sign

By Elizabeth Reeve

ONE workman died and another was seriously injured when they were struck by a car as they carried out maintenance work on a road sign at Littlebury Green.

Gerald Thorn, 53, of Little Walden Road, Saffron Walden, died at the scene of the accident on Friday (September 11).

The second workman, a 36-year-old from Coggeshall, Essex, suffered head injuries and a “stable fracture” to his spine as well as cuts and bruises. He remains in a stable condition in Addenbrooke’s Hospital, Cambridge.

Police arrested the 19-year-old driver of a silver Vauxhall Corsa on suspicion of careless driving. The teenager, from the Saffron Walden area, has been released on police bail until December while inquiries continue.

The accident happened at about 1.45pm when a Corsa and a grey Volkswagen Golf estate were involved in a collision in Littlebury Green Road at the crossroads junction with Chestnut Avenue.

An Essex Police spokeswoman said: “As a result of the collision the VW Golf left the road and struck the two men who were carrying out maintenance work on a street sign adjacent to the road.”

Police shut the road for about four-and-a-half hours while officers launched their investigation and recovered the vehicles.

The Health and Safety Executive has been made aware of the accident.

Police are appealing for witnesses. Officers from the Dunmow Road policing unit would like to hear from anyone who saw the accident or either vehicle in the minutes leading up to it. They can be contacted on 0300 333 4444.