The parents of a 5 year old boy who is fighting for his life are facing a difficult and anxious wait after he and his sister were struck by an articulated truck on Tuesday morning as they made their way to school.
The young boy Philip Peczek and older sister Caroline aged 7 were tragically struck by the heavy goods vehicle in Ongar when it was making a delivery to a local supermarket. Reports say that other children and parents witnessed the horrific incident and are believed to be still suffering from shock.
A member of Philip’s family told reporters that the little boy is currently in a critical but stable condition in Temple Street Hospital. The distraught family member further explained: “His lungs have been crushed and the next 48 hours are critical, but he is stable.”
Meanwhile it is also believed that little Caroline also fell under the truck, but mercifully she only suffered superficial injuries and shock. It is understood the tragic accident occurred when the children and their mother were walking to the nearby St Benedict’s National School.
The Gardai have said a technical examination of the truck found that there were no defects, and the driver is liaising with them.
According to a spokesperson who is a member of the school’s parents’ association, many families use the car park behind a local shopping complex as a route to the two local schools. “There are 1,200 children that use the schools and there is a problem with articulated lorries and trucks using the car park as a loading bay at the same time.
“There are trucks reversing and parking in the morning as children are trying to get by. It is something that is going to have to be looked at.”
