Crash victim, 9, in plea for anti-speed measures

A nine-year-old boy who faced surgery and lengthy rehabilitation after being run over at a speeding blackspot is heading a campaign for traffic-calming measures.
Dan was airlifted from West Road in Annfield Plain, County Durham, to Newcastle's Royal Victoria Infirmary in April last year, on what his dad Craig Ross described as one of the worst days of his life.
The local community has backed the campaign, called Silence the Loud, to force changes to the road where residents say they even hear cars speeding, especially at night.
Durham County Council said it had been in discussions about safety on West Road, but the ward's new councillors said it is time to "get on with building the thing".
Dan was walking to the cricket club near his home when he was struck.
Mr Ross said: "As he was unconscious, I didn't know if he was alive. He was in a bad state."
The youngster stayed in hospital for six nights and had metal pins inserted into his leg.
He then needed weeks of recovery in a wheelchair followed by rehabilitation using a walking frame.