CAMPAIGNERS have called for an urgent safety review after a pensioner was killed at a road junction they had previously warned was "dangerous" after pushing his wife to safety .

The 72-year-old was walking in Albert Road with his wife when a car mounted the pavement and struck him after a two-vehicle collision seconds earlier at the junction with Highmoor Road.

Witnesses and neighbours who rushed to assist have told the Chronicle how the man had pushed his partner to safety, saving her life.

The collision occurred at around 10.30am on Saturday and Thames Valley Police has said no one has been arrested in connection.

Leela Deshpande, of Albert Road, helped tend to the pensioner's wife and one of the drivers involved in the collision.

She said: "I saw all the police so I went to see what was happening and saw this gentleman lying on the road and the police officers were trying to resuscitate him.

"His wife had been put on a bench nearby and she was very, very distressed. She could see her husband just lying there - it is very, very sad.

"She was not injured though, when this happened he pushed her out the way, she told us."

In the wake of the crash residents have urged Reading Borough Council (RBC) to change the layout of the area to improve safety.

Gabriele Scicluna, who has spearheaded multiple bids to change the junction, said: "First and foremost we must put across our heartfelt feelings to the deceased and his family.

"But this is what we were trying to avoid happening at all costs. The day has come when our worst fears have been realised."

One week earlier on May 7 another collision at the same junction saw a family with young children and an elderly couple narrowly avoid serious injury.

Stuart Kemp, who was in one of the vehicles, has since put his weight behind the campaign to change the road layout.

Speaking hours after Saturday's crash he said: "It is literally seven days to the hour from our incident and I just keep thinking what if anyone else was on the road when we had our collision.

"God forbid, someone could have been hurt more seriously.

"But the fact that has now happened seven days later is just frightening - something needs to be done."

Reading East MP Rob Wilson said he had been contacted by many constituents about the collision and added: "Unfortunately, the worst-case scenario many envisaged has now become a reality and it's clear that Reading Borough Council's temporary solution is ineffectual and needs to be revisited without further delay."

However Cllr Page said: "Only days after this tragic accident and in absence of any of the facts and a police report Mr Wilson once again tries to make a political football out of this sad event.

"As local residents are well aware the traffic management sub-committee spent many hours discussing this difficult junction and a range of options.

"This was then follow by local consultation which resulted in no clear consensus."

He added that a report on the junction will be brought before the council and, if completed in time, a full copy of any conclusions the police are able to draw.