TRIBUTES have been paid to a Bolton grandmother who died in a road crash.

Margaret Davies died after suffering “serious head injuries” in the crash.

The 64-year-old pedestrian was involved in a collision with a Toyota Avensis car in Blackburn Road, near to the junction of Bar Lane, at 6.50pm on Friday.

Ms Davies — who was wearing a karate suit with a brown belt at the time and went to classes at Sharples leisure centre — was taken to hospital where staff tried to resuscitate her, but she died in the early hours of Saturday.

The driver of the Toyota was also taken to hospital on Friday suffering from severe shock.

Paying tribute to her, Ms Davies’s family said: “Margaret left behind a loving family who are all deeply shocked at their loss.

“She was a loving and caring mother who could not do enough for her family and friends. She helped people in many ways, as a volunteer in a school, as a brown belt in karate helping younger students and as a grandma most of all. She will be greatly missed.”

Police closed Blackburn Road in both directions for several hours following the fatal crash. Traffic was diverted along Ashworth Lane.

Specialist road traffic investigators were at the scene for several hours.

Charlotte Davenport, aged 20, of Daubhill, had to postpone a drama rehearsal because she could not get past the police road block.

She said: “I’d gone to my gran’s at 6.30pm and, when I came out at 7.10pm, there were police everywhere. I thought straight away that someone’s been killed.”

Passer-by Sarah Mills, aged 23, said: “I was getting a lift to my friend’s and traffic came to a standstill. A load of police cars just flew past me.”

Anyone who witnessed the collision or who has information ise urged to call the Serious Collision Investigation Unit on 0161 856 4741.