A RAMSBOTTOM restaurant boss has paid tribute to a woman who died in a horror crash.

Justyna Stanczak, 26, had worked at the First Chop restaurant, in Bolton Street, since it opened in 2008 and was well known by customers.

Justyna was a passenger in a blue Toyota Celica which collided with an LDV Convoy van parked in Manchester Road, Ramsbottom, at 12.40am on Monday.

PC Brendan Buggie, 38, who was driving the Celica, escaped from the crash uninjured and was interviewed at the scene by police officers.

He was arrested on suspicion of causing death by dangerous driving and has been released on bail until February 6, pending further inquiries.

First Chop owner Rik Garner said: “Justyna worked here from the day we opened and was such a special person.

"I don't know a person who met her who did not love her. She is going to be missed by so many people.

“Justyna's father has arrived from Poland. At the First Chop we would like to start a collection to help out at what is going to be such a difficult time for her family.”

Her family has travelled from Poland to formally identify her body and make funeral arrangements.

A post-mortem examination showed she died from the multiple injuries caused by the crash. A file has been passed to the coroner and an inquest is due to be opened.

A spokesman for Greater Manchester Police confirmed the car driver was an officer in the tactical aid unit and was not on duty at the time of the crash.

Van owner, self-employed builder James Hogan, was asleep when he heard the crash outside his home.

The 62-year-old said: “The side of the car had hit my van and knocked it 20 feet down the road. The passenger side took the full impact.

"There were police, paramedics and two fire engines outside. It looked very serious.”

Stuart Parish, who DJs at the restaurant, said: “Me and my brother have DJd at the Chop since it opened. We both took to Justyna from the moment we met her, she was an absolute joy to be around, a constant smile, an infectious personality.”

The Toyota Celica was travelling south towards Bury and the collision occurred just after a left hand bend, past the Park Farm tea room and garden centre.

A blood sample was taken from the officer at the time of his arrest and has been submitted for examination.

Police say the results are not yet known.