A 35-year-old man was crushed by a van in Haverstock Hill this morning (Thursday, February 9), prompting new calls for a 20mph zone to be enforced.

The man was rushed to St Mary’s Hospital in Paddington to be treated for back, leg and chest pain sustained when he was “squashed” between his delivery van and another vehicle reversing into a parking space outside the Sir Richard Steele pub.

Haverstock Hill was cordoned off by police between Park Hill Road and Steele’s Road between 9.30am and 10.30am.

Jackie Lucas, 27, a nanny who lives metres from the collision site, was one of the first on the scene and called an ambulance.

She said: “I heard his screams and when I came out he was lying on the ground.

“He couldn’t move and was in shock and possibly had internal injuries.

“There were a lot of people looking and I still feel butterflies when I think about it.

The accident is the second in two weeks and has reignited old calls for a 20mph zone to be enforced along Haverstock Hill.

“I think its dangerous,” said Miss Lucas who lives metres from Sir Richard Steele’s at Steele’s Studios.

“I reverse into my driveway because I dont feel safe reversing out. “Cars and buses drive too fast and there are a lot of parked cars so you can’t see very well when you’re pulling out.”

She added: “There are a lot of bus stops and a lot of turnings and I think a 20mph would help make it safer.”