AN elderly lady was knocked off her mobility scooter while using a zebra crossing - and now wants to thank everyone who stopped to help.

Maureen Gecsek, 88, off High Street, Canvey was knocked over by a Transit Van while using the zebra crossing outside KFC, joining High Street, and Folksville Road.

Maureen suffered severe bruising, as well as a cracked rib from her mobility scooter falling on top of her, following the crash.

Now she has almost fully recovered after spending three weeks living in a reclining chair night and day because it was too painful to move, and wants to thank the public who stopped traffic to help her.

Immediately after the crash, drivers blocked the road and a host of drivers, pedestrians, and nearby shop owners rushed to the scene to offer Maureen a helping hand.

She said: “I am not quite sure how it happened.

“I was following a lady across the crossing, and as she got to the other side of the road, he started to drive and went straight into me.

“I saw him coming but there is nothing you can do.

“But everyone was amazing. Immediately cars pulled aside and blocked off the road, people were bringing me water and making sure I was comfortable.

“Although I was in quite a lot of pain. I could see everyone rushing around me, calling the ambulance and doing what they could.

“Even the driver stopped, he looked absolutely devastated and was about to cry, he said he just didn’t see me which I guess can happen.

“It was an unfortunate accident.”

Maureen was full of praise for the paramedic who treated her at the scene, as well as staff at the A&E in Southend.

Although in a strange twist of events, she had to be carried to a paramedic car and transported to hospital after her ambulance was forced to re-route.

She added: “The ambulance actually got to us quite quickly, but as soon as it arrived they got another call.

“Someone else on the island had a heart attack and needed an ambulance. Of course I said straight away, don’t worry about me, go and help them.

“The paramedic picked me up and carried me to his response car and took me to A&E. I thought that was amazing and going above and beyond.

“I do just count myself very lucky that it was not more serious.”

A month on from the crash on April 21 and Maureen is returning to full health.

The 88-year-old has been out and about for the first time, rejoining her bridge club at the Conservative Club, and returning to her weekly swim on Monday mornings.

Essex Police informed Maureen that the driver of the van accepted fault, and was issued with a fine, points, and will attend an educational course.