ON April 18 we were returning from Bristol at 11pm at night.
We got to Stroat where there were some roadworks and traffic lights. As we were approaching the traffic lights they were on red. As we were slowing down I noticed something lying in the middle of the lane on the other side of the road.
It was a badger which had obviously been hit by a vehicle. The poor creature was still very much alive as it kept trying to stand up. It looked like its back leg was injured.
So we turned round and went back to see if there was anything we could do. I rang the RSPCA and they contacted Gwent Badger Group who said someone would be out straight away, he would be 15 to 20 minutes.
So we parked by the badger with our hazard lights flashing – unfortunately we couldn't park behind the badger as he was too near to the traffic lights and we would have obstructed the flow of traffic coming through.
I must say the majority of drivers were very kind slowing down and asking if we were OK and did we need help. There was nothing they could do. We didn't want to get too close to the badger as it was in pain, frightened and also they can inflict injuries with their claws and teeth as obviously they are a wild animal.
A couple of very large lorries came through and they took great care to go around this unfortunate animal and cars reversed to make space for them to get past.
In all we were there three-quarters to an hour, when all of a sudden a much smaller lorry came through obviously being driven by a cretin and he purposefully aimed at the badger and went straight over it. He had plenty of room to go round it as the other lorries had done but, no, I saw his wheels turn intentionally to go over it. After all the care shown by the other drivers – even an emergency police car went through and went round the animal.
I am just appalled that someone could be so callous; it was obvious we were trying to help the animal and that we were waiting for help from another source.
May I say that I hope if the driver is ever involved in an accident people treat him with the same contempt he gave to this defenceless animal, because I can assure him if I saw him lay in the middle of the road I wouldn't run to his aid.
As they say though, "what goes round comes round." This person is obviously thick and uncaring. I noticed he decided not to stop because I would love to have spoken to him – obviously a wimp as well!
I would like to say thank you again to all the other drivers and there were several, also the RSPCA and Steve from the Badger Group. Your kindness was much appreciated. – Vanessa Creed, St White's Road, Cinderford.