RELATIVES of a pensioner who was seriously injured after being involved in a road traffic incident have thanked members of Topsham s community for their support and get-well messages. Roberta Martin, of Denver Road, was knocked down by a car near Mortimor

RELATIVES of a pensioner who was seriously injured after being involved in a road traffic incident have thanked members of Topsham's community for their support and get-well messages.

Roberta Martin, of Denver Road, was knocked down by a car near Mortimores shop in the early hours of Wednesday, January 13. The 88-year-old was rushed to the Royal Devon and Exeter hospital.

Her son, Ray Martin, said Topsham residents had been 'so kind' in offering messages of support to the family and best wishes to Roberta for a speedy recovery. His mum is still in hospital.

She is in a stable condition but sustained a number of injuries including fractures to her pelvis, a fractured vertebrate in her neck and a cut to the back of the head.

Ray said: "She is holding her own but is not at all well and has picked up quite serious injuries.

"She is still being examined before they decide what treatment to carry out for her. She is being very well looked after - that is the most reassuring thing from our point of view."

Ray, who lives in France, rushed back to the UK earlier last week to visit his mum in hospital.

"Staff at the RD & E have been very, very kind, both to her and us - as have the people of Topsham who all hold my mum in high regard.

"They have been extremely understanding to our anxieties and needs.

"We arrived last Monday quite late, only to find that the ward was shut because of the norovirus problem but they let us in."

Roberta works as a volunteer at the RD & E. Ray said: "The irony was she had stayed at home throughout the snow and ice period.

"That day she was going up to the hospital to do her trolley-shop voluntary work, which she has been doing for more than 30 years, and where does she end up? In RD & E!

"I think this has severely shaken her confidence and will have quite a profound effect. It will be several months before she is out of hospital."

Ray said he did not think his mum would ever be fit enough to visit him at his home in France.

He added: "She is very keen to keep on doing her voluntary work."

Police were called to the scene of the incident where, upon arrival, they closed down part of Denver Road and redirected traffic in and around the area.