The family of a 90-year-old woman is calling for answers after a council speed bump left her with a brain bleed, broken neck and battered face. Fay Fagan was leaving the Ōtaki RSA, on the Kāpiti Coast, at about 6.50pm on Tuesday when it is believed she tripped on the recently installed bump in the dark and hit the tow-bar of a parked car with her head. Anne McEwan said her mum likely lay on the ground in the cold and dark for about 10 minutes, bleeding profusely, before she was discovered by another club patron. “They didn’t actually notice her, they said, until her feet moved … because she had dark clothes on and it was dark.” Kāpiti Coast District Council says the bumps were added to boost safety and will launch a new safety assessment of the site. McEwan said her mum went out “with a group of her lady friends” to have dinner and check in on the membership draw. After having a lemon, lime and bitters, Fagan left with a friend who continued down the road. Fagan was alone when she stumbled at the entrance to the neighbouring carpark where the bump was installed in early May. Her mum was taken to Palmerston North Hospital by ambulance – conscious but in shock. “They took her for a CT scan, and they said she’s got a brain bleed and also she’s got a neck injury. They mentioned she’s got something broken in the neck.” Despite the neck injury she could still move her arms and legs, she said. McEwan said given the age of many club members, recovery from such injuries would be “pretty horrific” if they fell too. It was “unbelievable” they installed the bump so close to the club, which had many elderly patrons. Council access and transport manager Glen O’Connor said judder bars and other safety improvements came after concerns were raised about cars speeding through the carpark between adjoining streets. “As the judder bars are quite narrow we used reflectorised yellow lines on either side of the bars, rather than a criss-crossed pattern used on wider judder bars. Judder bar signs were also installed.” The council was saddened by the news and their thoughts were with Fagan and her family, he said. They would carry out an additional safety assessment of the site. “We would also welcome a meeting with the family to learn more about what happened should they wish to discuss this with us.” McEwan said her mum would be 91 next month: she was still very active, enjoyed going out with friends and was heavily involved with the likes of the Ōtaki Bowling Club. “This could make a big change for her.” Fagan had no recollection of the incident.
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