AN 82-year-old woman died in hospital nearly three weeks after being knocked down by a car as she crossed Whalley Old Road in Little Harwood, Blackburn.

And an inquest heard that the driver, Mohammed Jamander, failed to stop after the accident, leaving Bessie Shorrock lying in the road.

Mrs Shorrock, of Rydal Road, Blackburn, was crossing the road when Mr Jamander drove his Nissan Bluebird taxi out of Rydal Road and turned right into Whalley Old Road.

He told police in an interview, which was read to the inquest, that he had not seen Mrs Shorrock until he hit her.

He said he had driven off because he did not know what to do and was "shaking all over."

"Another driver flashed me and I thought he was letting me go," said Mr Jamander. "I was pulling out and my eyes were on the road. I don't know where the woman came from." Mr Jamander accepted that he should have stopped but said he was really scared.

Police accident investigator Christopher Driver said the only conclusion he could draw from his investigations were that the driver of the Nissan had failed to take due care when exiting from a minor road on to a main road.

He confirmed that Mr Jamander was being summonsed for road traffic offences, including driving without due care and attention.

Mr Jamander said at the time of the incident he was working for a Manchester taxi firm and the vehicle involved was a taxi although he was not working on the day.

Coroner Andre Rebello recorded a verdict of accidental death on Mrs Shorrock, a retired weaver.

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