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Man seriously injured after Dunball crash

2:30pm Friday 20th June 2008

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By James Beal »

A MAN has been airlifted to hospital with life-threatening injuries after a road traffic collision in Dunball, near Bridgwater today (Friday).

Emergency services were called to the roundabout between Pawlett and the M5 junction 23 at around noon, after an accident between a van and a pedestrian.

A male casualty has been airlifted to Frenchay Hospital in Bristol with serious leg and chest injuries, which are thought to be life threatening.

The A38 Bristol Road from Pawlett to Dunball has been closed as a result, causing long traffic delays in both directions.

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rebecca bentham, glos says...
12:49pm Sat 21 Jun 08

the pedestrian was my father peter, he is 68. Now fighting for his life he has had to have his left leg amputated and has brain injuries. he is currently on a ventilator.

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TRACEY, BRIDGWATER says...
1:14pm Sat 21 Jun 08

hi rebecca im so sorry for your dad,my daugter was the one who was with him,i hope he has a rapid recovery and tell him our thoughts and prays are with him and your family, tracey

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BECKI, BRIDGWATER says...
1:27pm Sat 21 Jun 08

I was sat with peter after the accident, i am to upset to write to much but i just wanted his family to know my thoughts are with them.

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rebecca bentham, glos says...
2:30pm Sat 21 Jun 08

thankyou for your thoughts and thankyou for staying with my dad. Everybody at Frenchay has been wonderful but dad remains critical.

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Robert & Dorothy Marsh, Vancouver, BC Canada says...
6:41pm Sat 21 Jun 08

Mom and I are praying for Uncle Pete. All of the family here in Canada send our best wishes and thoughts.

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rebecca bentham, glos says...
9:43pm Sat 21 Jun 08

hi rob and auntie dot thank you for your message i dont have a contact for you.Dad is still very poorly.

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Brigitte, Dorset says...
12:07am Sun 22 Jun 08

Please say a big prayer for our dad
He was hit by a car travelling at 60 miles an hour as he stepped off the kerb. He has horrific injuries and was airlifted to Frenchay Hospital.
He has had his leg amputated above the knee and has a drain and something in his left lung to inflate it as it was punctured. We believe there is some brain damage but as yet we dont know as he is critical and it is second by second but it seems that he has accepted the blood he has been given he had to have ten units and platelets also. He cannot be scanned yet as the injuries are so severe he is heavily sedated.
We have to be prepared for the worse scenario but everything gained is a bonus.
We are all besides ourselves with grief and sorrow and have asked where our dad has gone the handsome strong man that was our rock has been taken from us in a mindless accident due to the power of speed, the man that was due next week to have a hip replacement and then able to carry on with his pleasure of a game of golf and the cammoradarie of his fellow players, his future years were bright.
I hear his voice laughing with me as we talk over dinner about days gone by and the happy times we spent and the mischief.
This should not have happened to our Dad. He was the hero of his grandchildren and his children he was our Dad.
Brigitte

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heidi, at home says...
7:17pm Sun 22 Jun 08

Hopefully pete will recover from the injuries and soon will be on the slow road to recovery.

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Brigitte, Dorset says...
12:05am Mon 23 Jun 08

who are you please

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Alison Bentham, Somerset says...
10:49am Mon 23 Jun 08

My thoughts and prayers are with my Papa but also everyone else involved in this accident; the driver of the van and the witnesses. It's been a horrible shock for everyone. Love to everyone. ****

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becki, bridgwater says...
5:53pm Mon 23 Jun 08

To all of peter's family i'd just like to let you know how brave he was after the accident, all the pain he must of been in he still held my hand and tried to get up, he is obviosly a very strong minded person i hope he can remain strong and pull through this. I wish i could of done more to help him. Please keep us updated on his progress.

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Alison Bentham, Somerset says...
6:23pm Mon 23 Jun 08

Dear Becki - He is a VERY strong willed, determined and stuborn man! This wont beat him. Thanks for your support. Keep in touch.

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asher bentham, bridgwater says...
7:41pm Mon 23 Jun 08

i am feeling so sad that this has happened to a man like dad, he is the best dad i could ever have wished for and has been therefor me all my life e all love him and now know he is slowly but surely getting better.

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Brigitte, Dorset says...
10:20pm Mon 23 Jun 08

becki wrote:
To all of peter\'s family i\'d just like to let you know how brave he was after the accident, all the pain he must of been in he still held my hand and tried to get up, he is obviosly a very strong minded person i hope he can remain strong and pull through this. I wish i could of done more to help him. Please keep us updated on his progress.
Becki if you would like to contact me on frenchie_35@hotmail.

com i will make sure you are kept updated and thank you for being brave enough to stay with Dad.
Brigitte

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Miriam Bentham, Bridgwater says...
6:18pm Tue 24 Jun 08

Becki, thanks for staying there with our Dad. He is in a more stable condition now, there's more colour in his face and he is attempting to speak. That is so brave that you stayed there with him and all his children are immensely greatful to you for your courage. It still is baffling to me how a man of 6" 2, walking with the aid of a stick, crossing a road he had crossed so many times could have been run down. But that is not the issue at the time being, all we are concerned with is that he makes as full a recovery as possible. Whatever you believe in, please say a prayer for our Dad.

Miriam

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Lynne Roberts-Mudge (nee Bentham), Purfiton says...
8:53pm Tue 24 Jun 08

To Peter's family,

Horrified to hear the news today. Peter rang me last week to tell me about his hip replacement. Rang Frenchay today and left a message to say ring me if there is anything I can do. Give my best wishes to Peter if he is able to hear them and God willing he will be well soon.

Lynne (Puriton

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James Sarson, Bridgwater says...
9:25pm Tue 24 Jun 08

Can anyone explain how this accident happened?. Why are vehicles allowed to drive at the 60mph limit in this spot, with the busy business access points placed here?.

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Sandra Healey, Puriton says...
9:35pm Tue 24 Jun 08

Dear Miriam,Reuban and Asher
Saddened to read the news today. Our sincere thoughts are with you all at this difficult time. We hope Peter makes as full as possible recovery. He is a very strong man and I am sure he will fight all the way. Please remember us to him and when he is well enough to accept visitors other than family we would love to visit him. I will say a prayer for him.
Regards Sandra,Mark and family

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Brigitte, Dorset says...
7:41am Wed 25 Jun 08

Lynne Roberts-Mudge (nee Bentham) wrote:
To Peter\'s family, Horrified to hear the news today. Peter rang me last week to tell me about his hip replacement. Rang Frenchay today and left a message to say ring me if there is anything I can do. Give my best wishes to Peter if he is able to hear them and God willing he will be well soon. Lynne (Puriton
If you wish to contact me Brigitte directly please do on frenchie_35@hotmail.

com. Information will be released to close family members only!

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Keith Laming, Poole, Dorset says...
10:38am Wed 25 Jun 08

Thoughts with Peter and of course Brigitte and the boys, they know where to find me.

Regards

Keith

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reuben bentham, bridgwater says...
2:01pm Wed 25 Jun 08

i cant beleve this has happend to our dad, after crossing this road for nearly 20 years i would never thought of this, but dad is a strong man and we all hope he gets through this, thanks to everyone for their support and thankyou becki for staying with our dad we are all very gratefull. =[

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Yolanda Bentham, Bridgwater says...
8:54pm Wed 25 Jun 08

How did this accident happen? It is certainly hard to imagine, considering that Peter had been crossing the road at that point by his house regularly for years and years. There used to be a 30 mph speed limit and safety camera by the roundabout at Dunball. I don't know why it was removed. All I know is that 7 children and 7 grandchildren are praying for his recovery, not to mention a host of others who love him, here and abroad. I hope and pray that at some point Peter will be able to read the messages of support on here. Thank you to the wonderful brave Becki for what you did. You are an unsung hero. We are so grateful to you for your courage.

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Christine, Yorkshire says...
2:18am Thu 26 Jun 08

Dear Yo, Miriam, Reuben and Asher,

So shocked to hear of Peter's terrible accident and praying for his recovery. My thoughts are with you all.

Love Chris


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Violet Harrington, Australia says...
10:59am Thu 26 Jun 08

From The Gold Coast of Australia .
I am so sad to hear of Peter's tragic accident and I would like to offer to all Peter's family and friends my sincere wishes for Peter's recovery . I know Peter as a strong man and self willed.
I am sure with this attitude he will not give up and will be fighting to get well and be home again with all his family and friends who care about him and love him.
Violet Harrington

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sarah, Birmingham says...
11:11am Thu 26 Jun 08

Hi, i'm really sorry to hear about your father, Becki is my niece and we are all very proud of her, your dad couldn't have had anyone better to help him in such terible circumstances, we all hope and pray your father makes a very fast recovery and is able to read all the messages of love and support left for him.

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Alison, Somerset says...
8:53pm Thu 26 Jun 08

Violet Harrington wrote:
From The Gold Coast of Australia .
I am so sad to hear of Peter\'s tragic accident and I would like to offer to all Peter\'s family and friends my sincere wishes for Peter\'s recovery . I know Peter as a strong man and self willed.
I am sure with this attitude he will not give up and will be fighting to get well and be home again with all his family and friends who care about him and love him.
Violet Harrington
Thank you so much for your support, Violet. I'm going to see Dad on Saturday and I have printed out all these wonderful messages to read to him. I've been really overwhelmed at the affection and heartfelt good wishes that have been shown to Dad by so many kind and caring people. It's all very humbling. Thanks so much.

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Lena Smith, New Zealand says...
9:27pm Thu 26 Jun 08

I am a relative by marriage on Yolanda's side of the family. Although I have never met Peter I would like to offer sincere wishes for a recovery. Our thoughts will be with you all at such a terrible time. From what I have read Peter is a very strong person , I am sure this strength will help pull him through.

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Brigitte Bentham, Dorset says...
12:46am Fri 27 Jun 08

I have been trying not to come here as i find it upsetting and positive if that makes sense! I just want to thank you for all your positive comments and good wishes. I think the time has come for the Highways to step up and sort this black spot out once and for all, dont put a speed limit up an take it away where is the sense in that!!! Is this what it takes to make them wake up! I am happy for anyone to contact me to support this speed limit change it is something that has to be sorted out. If it was a little person that had run out on that road they would have never made it.

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Derek Smith, Australia says...
1:10am Fri 27 Jun 08

To Peter and all his family I send my best wishes for Peter's recovery . All the family in NZ are thinking of you and sending positive thoughts to make you well again soon.
Del, Don, Joyce, Colin and Howard

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Jo and Dave Foster, Puriton says...
7:16am Sat 28 Jun 08

We were shocked to hear the tragic news. We wish Peter a full recovery and our thoughts are with you all.

Jo, Dave, Peter, Ben and Tom

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Brigitte Bentham, Dorset says...
8:30am Sat 28 Jun 08

If anyone posting here would like to updates on Dad you can contact me directly and i will be happy to let you know privately.

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Alison, Somerset says...
1:46pm Sat 28 Jun 08

I visited Dad this morning and passed on your messages of support. His eyes were open. Still very poorly obviously but miracles are happening every day.

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Stan and Nancy Solomons, Huddersfield says...
11:57am Sun 29 Jun 08

So sorry to hear about Peter's terrible accident. We are thinking of him and hope he makes a speedy recovery. Our thoughts are also with Yola, Miriam, Rueben and Asher.

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Brigitte Bentham, Dorset says...
10:51pm Sun 29 Jun 08

It goes without saying that Team Bentham thank everyone for kind thoughts and offers of support. 7 Children and 7 Grandchildren!!!!

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Judi, bridgwater says...
9:43am Mon 30 Jun 08

Writing on behalf of Bryan Lintern, Tom Armstrong and Bill Dadds - you are in our thoughts

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Merlene Smith, New Zealand says...
1:35am Tue 1 Jul 08

Peter stayed with us with Yola abd Miriam for a week nineteen years ago when they were visiting Australia. We all had a great time .We saw them when we were in England on hoiday Del wants to play golf again with Peter but says to tell Peter he is not getting a handicap.
All of us in NZ are praying for Peter to get well again. He is constantly in our thoughts as are all his family.
Del and Merlene Smith

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Nikki + Nick Birch and family, Puriton says...
5:53pm Tue 1 Jul 08

Shocked to hear the news of peter, he has been a friend of ours for years.
Our thoughts and prayers are with peter and his family.
Hoping for a full recovery, send our love and best wishes to peter.

Regards Birch family

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Brigitte Bentham, Dorset says...
7:35pm Tue 1 Jul 08

Thank you Nikki * Nick. I will keep you posted on his recovery.
Brigitte x

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yolanda bentham, Bridgwater says...
8:58pm Fri 4 Jul 08

Team Bentham also would like to say a huge thank you to the Dorset and Somerset Air Ambulance crew who took Peter to Frenchay where he is still being cared for by the wonderful staff in ITU 2 weeks later. It is impossible to thank all these people enough. We hope and pray that one day Peter will be able to thank them himself.

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