Yahoo News Lollipop lady, 87, dies in crash on road she campaigned to make safer
Tributes have been paid to a lollipop lady who died after being hit by a van on a road she had campaigned to make safer for children crossing.
Irene Allen was hit by a Mercedes Sprinter van in Bury, Greater Manchester last Tuesday.
The 87-year-old was rushed to hospital from the scene, but died of her injuries on Sunday.
In a tribute issued through Greater Manchester Police, Allen's daughter Melanie cited the "tragic irony" surrounding her death.
"Always putting others before herself, in the mid 1960’s 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," she said.
"This tragic irony sits with us today."
Allen's daughter added that the pensioner "would always put others before herself" and that her mother, Bury's first lollipop lady, would be missed for her "sunny personality".
Police are continuing to investigate the circumstances surrounding Allen's death but a post mortem concluded that she died of multiple injuries caused by the collision.
The tribute read: "Irene was a much loved ex-medical receptionist at Ribblesdale House and AgeUK Jubilee Centre committee member.
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"Irene, a keen walker and Rawtenstall Cricket fan, leaves behind a daughter and three grandchildren and a whole community who miss her sunny personality."
In a previous update, Greater Manchester Police said that following the collision the driver - a 26-year-old man - remained at the scene to assist officers.
He was arrested on suspicion of causing serious injury by careless driving and was released under investigation.
Detectives are continuing to appeal for any witnesses to come forward. They particularly want to speak to anyone who has footage of the crash or the moments leading up to it, including dashcam, CCTV or doorbell footage.
Anyone with information should contact police on 0161 856 4741 quoting incident 1115 of 06/12/22. Alternatively, details can be passed via the LiveChat function at www.gmp.police.uk or anonymously via the independent charity Crimestoppers on 0800 555 111.
