A POPULAR lollipop-man from Barnard Castle has described wanting “to pack in the job” after being struck by a car while helping school pupils cross a busy town road last month.
Police are now appealing for help from anyone with dash-cam footage after the hit-and-run incident left John Moore with an arm injury while he was on duty in Bede Road about 8.30am on Friday, September 15.
The businessman has been helping pupils from Teesdale School and Green Lane Primary to safely cross the busy A67 at Bede Road for the past five years.
A police spokesperson said: “It is believed the pedestrian, a lollipop man, was escorting children across the road when a black pick-up style vehicle collided with him.
“The vehicle failed to stop at the collision before leaving the scene.”
Mr Moore, a former district governor for the Scouts, described how he contacted 111 after being struck and was advised to attend A&E at Darlington Memorial Hospital.
He refused to do so because he did not want to miss the afternoon shift and leave the crossing unmanned.
He added: “I was going to pack it in but a group of girls came and gave me some chocolates.
“It broke my heart and I couldn’t pack it in.
“[Being a lollipop-man] is brilliant – of all the jobs I’ve had it pays the least but I get the most satisfaction from it.”
Mr Moore added: “I have worked with the YMCA and the Scouts for years so working with children is in my core.”
The police spokesperson added: “Officers are now keen to speak to anyone with information or CCTV/dashcam footage of the incident.”
Anyone with information should contact Barnard Castle Neighbourhood Police Team on 101, extension 209290 or email Gavin.Robson2@ durham.police.uk.
