A PEDESTRIAN has lost his nine-week battle for survival after an accident in Clayton-le-Moors, despite showing signs that he might recover.

The family of William Hart was left devastated by his death in hospital last week, but said they had been overwhelmed by the response from the community, after more than 200 people contacted his children and wife, Ann, with memories of the former lorry driver.

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Scots-born ‘Willy’ Hart, described as a ‘real character and prankster’, suffered multiple injuries in a collision with a grey Ford Fiesta, as he tried to cross Whalley Road on June 21 after a night of dancing in the Conservative Club.

He spent almost a month in a coma, before regaining consciousness and showing signs of improvement, but died of broncho-pneumonia last week, his family said.

Mrs Hart, 65, of Cumberland Avenue, said: “It was so terrible when the crash happened and such a shock. It flung him through the air and he had a broken hip, fractured pelvis and two bleeds on his brain. There were also severe facial injuries which made him almost unrecognisable, it was horrific.

“He was actually doing well over the last few weeks, considering his injuries, and was really fighting and had started squeezing my hand. I thought he was going to get better but it all happened very quickly in the end.”

At the time of the accident, Mrs Hart said there were several cars parked on the curb near the Conservative Club and Albion Pub, which would have made it difficult for the driver to see her husband step out.

She added: “It’s just at the top of the brow, so you can’t see properly when you’re driving up. People now seem to have stopped parking there, so hopefully there won’t be another accident.”

Daughter Sheryl, 40, said: “Everyone loved my dad in Clayton, he was such a character He loved playing pranks. I remember one thing he would do if people were playing pool. He’d say ‘that white ball needs cleaning’ and take his false teeth out and put them down on the table like a ball marker, then pick the ball up and clean it on his jumper.”

Police have re-issued an appeal for witnesses to the accident at 10.15am. Anyone with information should contact Lancashire Police on 101 quoting log number 1577.

Mr Hart also leaves daughter Catherine, 44, son David, 42, seven grandchildren and one great-grandchild. His funeral will be at All Saints Church, in Church Street, on Friday, at noon.