‘Much-loved’ lollilop lady killed in collision in Bury - family tributes to Irene Allen

The family of an 87-year-old woman who died after a collision in Bury has paid tribute to her.

Irene Allen, 87, passed away following the accident on Walmersley Road in Bury on Tuesday 6 December, when she was struck by a Mercedes Sprinter close to the junction of Wolstenholme Avenue. Police arrested a 26-year-old motorist who remained at the scene and he was later released under investigation.

In a tribute to Irene, her daughter Melanie, said: “Irene was a much loved ex-medical receptionist at Ribblesdale House and AgeUK Jubilee Centre committee member.

“Irene lost the fight for her life on Sunday 11 December, she had been involved in a road traffic collision on Walmersley Road Bury on Tuesday morning, and despite the best efforts of Salford Royal Rescue and ICU teams, Irene never fully regained consciousness.

“The police are continuing to investigate the circumstances but a post-mortem concluded that she died of multiple injuries caused by the collision. “Irene, a keen walker and Rawtenstall Cricket fan, leaves behind a daughter and three grandchildren and a whole community who miss her sunny personality.

“Always putting others before herself, in the mid-1960s, 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. This tragic irony sits with us today.”

Police are particularly keen to speak to anyone who may have footage, including dashcam, mobile phone or CCTV/doorbell footage from the area in the moments leading up to and before the collision took place. Anyone with information should contact police on 0161 856 4741 quoting incident 1115 of 06/12/22.

Alternatively, details can be passed to GMP via their LiveChat function on their website, or anonymously via the independent charity Crimestoppers on 0800 555 111.