Trust set up after girl loses leg

Press, 1 August 1989, Page 6

Trust set up after girl loses leg

Nearly $lO,OOO has been given to a trust to help give a girl, aged 16, a new start in life after losing a leg as a result of a Christchurch car accident in March. Sonya Hall, a Linwood High School student, was hit by a car which had collided with another vehicle as she walked across the Carlton Mill Bridge. Miss Hall, who was pinned against the bridge, lost one leg and the other was badly injured. The driver pleaded guilty yesterday in the District Court at Christchurch to. a charge of careless driving causing injury. He will be sentenced on August 17. The court was told that Miss Hall still faces the possibility of losing her other leg. Senior Constable Laurie Mitten, of Christchurch, who set up the appeal,

had coincidentally driven up to' the intersection In an unmarked police car moments before the accident Constable Mitten later discovered he knew the girl’s father, Mr Peter Hall, having been in the Army with him, and decided to set up the appeal. “The money Is for her when she decides what she is going to do with her life,” Constable Mitten said.

He said he was surprised by the generosity of people, particularly the elderly, some of whom gave up to SIH.

Some gifts of money came from the North Island. Constable Mitten said collection tins had been placed round the Riccarton Mall, at various French Bread Shops and branches of the Returned Services Association. Collection tins had also been placed round the police station.