A crowdfunding campaign has been set up to support the young family of a much-loved Isle of Wight teacher who was hit by a car outside her home in Cowes yesterday (Thursday).
Gilly Harland, a teacher at Christ the King College in Newport, is thought to have been heading to work at just gone 08:00 when she was struck by a Kia Picanto – being driven by a 79-year-old man – on Newport Road in Cowes, as previously reported by Island Echo.
The impact left the mum-of-2 in her 40s with potentially life-threatening head injuries. She was flown to Southampton General Hospital by air ambulance, where she remains in a serious condition.
Those close to Gilly have set up the fundraiser to assist with ferry costs and accommodation for her partner and 2 children when visiting her on the mainland, and to replace a loss of earnings.
Louise Reilly has said:
“Gilly may need medical care for weeks/months, so I ask anyone who knows them and their two little boys to donate what they can for ferries, accommodation and loss of earnings.
“Gilly and Chris do so much for others, it would be great to help in any way we can when they need help the most.
You can visit the GoFundMe at https://www.gofundme.com/f/chris-quinton-and-family. So far over £2,000 has been raised.
Newport Road was closed for over 10 hours yesterday as investigations into the circumstances of the collision took place. The road has since re-opened.
A 79-year-old man, from Cowes, was arrested on suspicion of driving whilst unfit through drink or drugs but was soon released with no further action.
Hampshire & Isle of Wight Constabulary is keen to identify any witnesses, in particular 2 specific vehicle drivers who may have witnessed the collision or the events leading up to it. Officers would like to speak to the rider of a red motorcycle and the driver of a white lorry.
Anyone with information is asked to contact Police on 101, quoting 44230406606. You can also submit information online at https://www.hampshire.police.uk/tua/tell-us-about/cor/tell-us-about-existing-case-report/. Alternatively, you can contact the independent charity Crimestoppers 100% anonymously on 0800 555 111.
Damn, and at residential street as well, a place that should be safe 🙁
Hope she recovers.
A sad, tragic accident. Thoughts are with her husband and children. Why do the Police automatically think a 79 year old man would be unfit to drive a car having consumed alcohol or drugs is beyond me. I suppose this is classed as normal these days, which it SO ISN’T!!!!?
He was released with no further action, so obviously wasn’t unfit. Or were you in the car with him and know different? Armchair blamer.
Very sad, hope all the best for her and family, because of the age of the driver, my first thought’s he could have had a stroke of some kind…..The police need to look into any medication he may be on, I wouldn’t imagine he was on drugs that all the idiots today take when driving…..
Wind your neck in mate. Usual procedure when there is a serious incident. Has nothing to do with age.
Could be on prescription medication innocent till proven guilty
IF RED FUNNEL OFFICIALS READ THIS …PLEASE OFFER THEM FREE TRAVEL PASSES FOR HOSPITAL VISITS FOR DURATION OF TREATMENT……THANKYOU
A bridge is what this Dinosaur Island needs.
No it dont thanks ……anyway the toll will be about £50 …will never be free …
£50 toll? Apart from being wild speculation it is also cheaper than the ferries. So i’ll have that. £50 to go when I want. Sounds like a deal.
It is so very hard for those who need to seek medical attention on the mainland because of the costs involved…but a bridge, built at unfathomable cost and requiring constant upkeep, would never be free to cross.