Crawley Boy's Road Death Blamed On Flooded Underpass

Tuesday, 29 November 2022 06:17

By Jade McLean

Crawley residents have taken to social media to blame the death of a 12-year-old boy last Friday (Nov 25) on a flooded underpass that prompted him to cross a busy road.

Tyler Wills of Arnfield Close in Crawley was killed last Friday during a collision in which, police say, he was "walking in Crawley Avenue".

However, Crawley residents have taken to social media in response to a video of the flooded tunnel showing shin-deep water throughout, to comment that children had been seen running across the dual carriageway, rather than using the tunnel to get to school.

The post on Facebook community group Spotted: Crawley Backup adds: "Someone’s going to get killed before they sort out the issue," and another has suggested that perhaps Ifield Community College, where Tyler went to school, could help fund repairs, since children need to use the underpass to reach school.

Screenshots taken from the video on Facebook group Spotted: Crawley Backup

Screenshot from Google Maps

Others have tagged West Sussex County Council and Crawley Borough Council in the post, with one commenting that they have "blood on their hands" and others lamenting that the tunnel had been flooding for years.

A spokesperson for West Sussex County Council said:

“Our thoughts and condolences go to those who have been affected by this tragedy.

“Maintenance of the underpass has been carried out as scheduled and floodwater, caused by unprecedented rainfall across the county, pumped out when reported.”

“The incident is under investigation by the police and therefore any further comment at the present time would not be appropriate."

Crawley Borough Council has also been contacted for comment.

Photos: Council contractors have since been tasked with draining the tunnel: