Fears over safety of fatal-crash junction of Kentish Town Road and Hawley Road

Published: 4 February 2010
by JOSIE HINTON

A CONSTRUCTION worker was killed when he was hit by a minicab at a road junction considered dangerous by nearby businesses.
A coroner’s inquest opened on Tuesday into the death of Slovakian-born Jozef Valabik, 35. It was adjourned while investigators piece together the circumstances surrounding the accident at the junction of Kentish Town Road and Hawley Road in Camden Town early on January 20.
Mr Valabik was treated at the scene by paramedics but died later at the Royal Free Hospital in Hampstead.
Police at the collision investigation unit at Eust­on Traffic Garage said the light was green for the car as it went through the traffic lights, although it is not clear at what speed it was travelling when it hit Mr Valabik.
Sergeant Andrew Clark, senior investigating officer, said: “There was extensive damage to the front near-side of the car which we believe was consistent with the injuries received.”
The driver is due to attend a voluntary police interview today (Thursday) but Sgt Clark told St Pancras Coroner’s Court it was too soon to say whether there would be any arrests. The accident was not caught on CCTV.
Devastated friends of Mr Valabik, who lived in Ealing, west London, and had a six-year-old son, have launched a desperate plea for witnesses to come forward.
Close friend Miro, who did not wish to have his surname published, said: “We can’t believe nobody saw anything at all. We are desperate for people to come forward.”
Residents and traders have reported a number of near-misses at the busy junction, where four roads meet. In 2008, a cyclist was seriously injured when he was hit by a truck and a market trader was left brain-damaged by a crash in 2002.
Surya Patel, who owns nearby Pat’s News, said: “A lot of customers tell me they’ve almost been knocked over crossing that junction. You’re not supposed to turn left from Hawley Road into Kentish Town Road but a lot of cars do, and it’s a blind corner.”
Owen Reed, who works in nearby Chamberlain bike shop, added: “There’s almost an accident every day as it is not very clearly signposted for cars to turn right at the junction. Everyone goes straight on in the right-hand lane. If you stand there for half an hour you’ll see a near-miss.”
Sgt Clark said he would be liaising with Camden Council to see if changes were needed at the junction.
At the time of his death, Mr Valabik was living with friends after moving to London from Slovakia 13 years ago. But the construction worker had plans to return home to be nearer his son. The inquest was adjourned until July 1. Mr Valabik’s body will be returned to Slovakia to be buried. Anyone with information about the accident should call 0207 388 6806.