Clubber hit by car outside Kingston's Oceana nightclub

10:50am Friday 20th November 2009

By David Lindsell

A clubber hit by a car outside Oceana in Kingston on Wednesday night, renewing calls for a safety barrier.

Witnesses heard a loud crash at about 11pm, when a man crossing Clarence Street was hit by a car coming around a bend in the road.

Emergency teams, including door staff at Oceana, were praised for their quick response, and medical teams were treating the victim within minutes of the incident.

A spokesman for London Ambulance Service said: “We were called just after 11.10pm to reports of a road traffic collision at Clarence Street, Kingston, involving a car and a pedestrian.

“A man believed to be in his 20s was stabilised at the scene and taken to Kingston Hospital.”

"At the time it was believed the injuries were serious, but it was superficial cuts.

"The road was reopened at 11.57pm. After having x-rays the man is at home now. The driver was not at fault."

Police shouted out for witnesses to come forward and some, including one girl in tears, were interviewed inside the Kings Tun pub opposite.

One witness who saw the smash from an upper window in the pub said: “I thought a chair had been thrown at the car window. Then I saw him lying on the floor. Look how far he’s travelled.”

Paul Riordan from town centre management group Kingstonfirst said: “Thankfully they are very rare. People have told me they are surprised it hasn’t happened in the past.

“I can’t remember one in the past three or four years “People do run across that road. They don’t want to walk the 50 yards to the traffic lights.”

Calls have already been made for Kingston Council to consider putting up railing at the site to stop people risking their lives crossing the three lane road.

One witness to the accident said: “I can’t think of one reason why not. It could save someone’s life.”

The car was dented by the impact with the pedestrian, and was rolled away to a bus lane and then removed.