Residents have described the desperate attempts to save a grandmother who died following a police pursuit on a 'dangerous' road.
Kathleen Kirby, who was in her 60s, suffered fatal injuries when she was struck by an Amazon delivery van which had been hit by an Audi TT being pursued by police along Bolton Road in Ashton-in-Makerfield, Wigan, on Monday afternoon.
The police watchdog has begun an independent investigation into the pursuit, which Greater Manchester Police say started when the Audi had 'failed to stop'.
Try MEN Premium for FREE by clicking here for no ads, fun puzzles and brilliant new features.
Eye-witnesses have told the M.E.N. police were immediately on the scene and that heart massage was performed at the scene before Ms Kirby was taken to hospital. She died later.
One resident, who declined to be named, said: "It's such a sad state of affairs. We need to do something about the speeds down this road. It's an absolute free-for-all. You hear them screaming down there every day, hammering every gear. It's dangerous for us to go out in the street. You take your life in your hands every time.
"I've been here 28 years and there have been at least three fatalities here. It's a race track.
"I heard a bang and I saw them doing CPR on the lady. They were working on her. They pinned down one person next to the Audi. Two helicopters landed in the field. The Amazon van was pulling out and this car has swiped him. I don't think he's done anything wrong. The back end was badly damaged. The back axle was torn out."
Another householder said: "It's not good for traffic around here. They want to build more retail units near here and that's going to mean more traffic."
Another resident said: "I wouldn't say it's dangerous, 99 per cent of people use the road correctly but you do get the odd boy racer. It's just so sad. And even if someone gets jailed they'll probably be out in three years."
Heartbroken relatives of Mrs Kirby have paid tribute to the 'rock of the family'. They said in a statement to the M.E.N: "Our hearts our broken forever as today we lost our beloved mum, nana, sister, partner, aunty and best friend to so many. She took everyone under her wing, only ever seen the good in everyone.
"Kathleen would be there no matter what and was the rock of our family, she held everyone together with her strength and passion for life. She will never be forgotten and we will all make her proud in everything we do. Love you always and forever, mum, nana, partner and sister, always in our hearts."
A spokesman for the Independent Office for Police Conduct (IOPC) said: "We can confirm we have decided to investigate Greater Manchester Police actions prior to a fatal road traffic collision in Platt Bridge, Wigan yesterday afternoon (Monday).
"We were informed that at around 2.40 pm a Mercedes van collided with a woman pedestrian in Bolton Road after the van had been struck by a suspect Audi car that had made off from police moments earlier.
"We understand a police car had briefly pursued the Audi prior to the collision. The woman, in her 60s, was taken to hospital but was sadly pronounced dead there later.
"An independent investigation was declared at 6.30pm and we sent investigators to the scene and to the police post incident procedure to begin our enquiries."
A spokesperson for GMP confirmed a man has been arrested and remains in police custody.
The M.E.N. has approached Wigan Council for a comment.
Earlier Superintendent Ian Jones, of GMP’s Wigan division, said: "Our sincere thoughts and condolences go to the family and friends of the woman that has sadly passed away following the incident earlier on today. We understand that the public are concerned by incidents of this nature and in-line with normal procedure, referrals have been made to GMP’s Professional Standards Branch and the Independent Office for Police Conduct.
"Investigations like this often result in road closures which can cause significant disruption and we thank the local community and road users for their patience during the road closure."
Anyone with information or dashcam footage was asked to contact GMP quoting incident log 2166 of 26/6/2023. Information can be reported online or by using the LiveChat function at www.gmp.police.uk. If you can't report online, call 101 or Crimestoppers anonymously on 0800 555 111.
