Tragic lollipop lady, 87, mowed down in horror crash on road she campaigned to make safer

A FORMER lollipop lady has died following a crash on a road she campaigned to make safer.

Irene Allen, 87, passed away five days after the horror collision in her old patch in what her heartbroken family described as a "tragic irony".

The grandmother was seriously injured on Walmersley Road in Bury, Greater Manchester, on December 6 when she was struck by a Mercedes Sprinter.

She was rushed to hospital and died from her injuries on December 11.

Police investigating have urged anyone with footage from the area at the time to come forward.

Irene's daughter Melanie has now paid tribute to her mother, the "first lollipop lady in Bury".

She noted the "tragic irony" of the location of the crash, as her mum campaigned for safer crossings for school children there in the 1960s.

In a statement released by Greater Manchester Police, Melanie said: "Irene was a much loved ex-medical receptionist at Ribblesdale House and AgeUK Jubilee Centre committee member.

"Irene lost the fight for her life on December 11.

"She had been involved in a road traffic collision on Walmersley Road, Bury, on Tuesday morning, and despite the best efforts of Salford Royal Rescue and ICU teams, Irene never fully regained consciousness.

"The police are continuing to investigate the circumstances but a post-mortem concluded that she died of multiple injuries caused by the collision."

Melanie described Irene as a "keen walker and "Rawtenstall Cricket fan" who leaves behind a daughter, three grandchildren and a "whole community who miss her sunny personality".

She added: "Always putting others before herself, in the mid 1960s Irene complained to Bury Council about the lack of safe crossings for school children across the busy Walmersley Road and became the newsworthy first lollipop lady in Bury.

"This tragic irony sits with us today."

Cops arrested a 26-year-old motorist who remained at the scene. He was later released under investigation.

Anyone with information should contact police on 0161 856 4741 quoting incident 1115 of 06/12/22.