A mum-of-two was struck by two cars in the middle of a main road, an inquest has heard.

Michelle Barlow, 41, from Tottington, was struck while crossing Chester Road in Stretford at 10pm on the night of July 22 of last year.

The mum-of-two was in temporary accommodation in the area after the end of an abusive relationship.

Karen Barlow, her mother, said she was within a couple of days of a move to alternative accommodation at an inquest this week.

Karen said: "We saw her six weeks before and she looked the best she looked for a long, long time. She was looking good.

"Afterwards we went to her temporary accommodation for her things and all of them were in shock saying she was a lovely person."

(Image: Family)

The driver of the first car to hit Ms Barlow was arrested on suspicion of causing death by careless driving.

After an investigation he was not charged with the offence although he was charged with other offences on the night.

Detective Constable Liam Carolan, of Greater Manchester Police's Serious Collision Investigation Unit, said although he was driving at 32mph, 2mph over the limit, his driving in dark and difficult conditions was within "an acceptable parameter".

DC Carolan said: "We take into consideration whether the driving is below that of a careful or a considerate driver. The National Police Chiefs Council tells us not to prosecute for a variance of 10 per cent of the speed limit.

"A careful or a considerate driver should be below the speed limit but a variance of two miles per hour is in an acceptable parameter."

The cause of death of Ms Barlow was a number of catastrophic injuries for which she was treated at the scene and at Manchester Royal Infirmary. Karen thanked the police, paramedics and passersby for their work.

At Stockport Coroners' Court the senior coroner Alison Mutch came to a conclusion the death was a result of a road traffic collision.

Ms Mutch said: "As she was crossing one carriageway she was struck by one vehicle, she went into the other carriageway, and she was struck by the other vehicle. We have heard about the investigation and it is clear the two vehicles would not have had a chance of seeing her until it was too late for them to avoid striking her."

Ms Mutch said: "In all of the circumstances the only conclusion I can record is a conclusion of a road traffic collision."

This article was written by Jack Tooth. To contact him, email jack.tooth@newsquest.co.uk or follow @JTRTooth on Twitter.