Lyme Regis school boy in fight for life after crash (From Thisisdorset)

Lyme Regis school boy in fight for life after crash

11:36am Wednesday 20th March 2013 in Latest By Adrianne Maslen

FELLOW pupils at Woodroffe School in Lyme Regis have been told that 17-year-old Nick Wildeman was the boy involved in a lorry collision on the A35.

The Year 12 pupil is still in the neurological ward at Southampton Hospital where he was taken after the accident last Monday.

His condition remains unchanged and was yesterday described as critical but stable. Students at the Woodroffe School are shocked and upset by the news.

Pupils were told last week that Nick has a fracture to the base of his skull and a blood clot at the top of his spine and is being kept under sedation.

Headteacher Dr Richard Steward said: “The school was shocked to be informed of the terrible accident that Nick was involved in on Monday evening and our thoughts are with his family and friends at this very difficult time.

“We wish Nick a full and speedy recovery.”

One pupil, who did not wish to be named, said: “We were told about Nick at school and it’s very upsetting news.”

His family are being looked after by a police liaison officer and have said they are not ready to talk about the accident.

Police are still anxious to speak to witnesses or anyone who saw Nick before he was hit by the Mercedes lorry at around 4.45pm on Monday, March 11.

The incident happened on the A35 just west of the Old London Inn near Miles Cross outside Bridport.

Sixth-former Nick, who lives near the crash site, was treated on the scene by paramedics before being taken to Dorset County Hospital and then transferred to Southampton Hospital.

Police closed the road in both directions for accident investigation until 11.45pm.

The lorry, a Mercedes articulated tractor unit and trailer was driven by a man from the Southampton area.

Inspector Mike Darby said: “Clearly the young man is seriously injured and our thoughts are with his family and friends while they deal with this difficult time.”

Insp Darby said without any witnesses who saw the accident, police have to look at a series of things which could have happened.

He said police could also calculate the speed of the vehicle from the lorry’s tachograph. There is also physical evidence the police can gather from the scene. Insp Darby said the lorry driver was helping police with their enquiries.

A police spokesman on the scene said it was unclear why Nick appeared to be in the middle of the road when the crash happened.

He said: “We don’t know why he was in the road. I have spoken to neighbours and they didn’t see what happened.”

Witnesses should contact Dorset Police on 101 or Crimestoppers on 0800 555111.