A UKRAINIAN grandmother who fled to Bolton after being persecuted by the Nazis died after she was involved in a car accident as she crossed a busy Bolton street.

Kateryna Lewyk, aged 81, of Hilden Street, Bolton, had just started to go out again after being mugged months earlier.

Farnworth driver Susan Longworth now faces prosecution following the incident in Bridgeman Place in February.

An inquest heard yesterday that mystery still surrounded how Ms Longworth had not seen the pensioner as she crossed the street after a shopping trip.

She had begun crossing the road as traffic was stuck at the lights at the junction with Manchester Road, Bradshawgate and Trinity Street.

As she reached half way, a flow of traffic came towards her and she was hit by Ms Longworth's silver Citroen Saxo.

Driver Paul Wright, who was driving near Ms Longworth's car, said he clearly saw the pensioner and another pedestrian crossing the road.

But when the police interviewed Ms Longworth, she said she had not seen Mrs Lewyk at all until she was "on my bonnet".

Her only explanation was that something something must have blocked her view.

Pedestrian Adam Arkwright said he had crossed the road at the same time as the pensioner. As they crossed the road the lights turned to green, but Mrs Lewyk had her head down and did not notice the cars coming.

He heard a screech of brakes and the impact before turning to see her lying on the floor.

Pc Lee Entwistle, of Bolton traffic police, said they had not worked out why Ms Longworth had not seen Mrs Lewyk before the accident.

A white Transit van seen crossing Bridgeman Place as the traffic came down the hill would not have blocked her view for long enough, said accident investigator Pc John Griffin.

But there was no evidence that she had driven too fast, been drinking, or been distracted by talking or using a mobile phone.

Ms Longworth, who is being prosecuted for driving without due care and attention, declined to give any further evidence.

Coroner Aiden Cotter recorded a verdict of accidental death.

Afterwards, Mrs Lewyk's daughter, Vera Bourn, said her mother had just got her confidence back after being mugged when she was killed.

She said she had come to England in 1947 after being uprooted from the Ukraine to do forced farm work for the Nazis during the Second World War. She added: "She was a lovely lady and it is a shame that she lived so long for her to die in this way." A UKRAINIAN grandmother who fled to Bolton after being persecuted by the Nazis died after she was involved in a car accident as she crossed a busy Bolton street.

Kateryna Lewyk, aged 81, of Hilden Street, Bolton, had just started to go out again after being mugged months earlier.

Farnworth driver Susan Longworth now faces prosecution following the incident in Bridgeman Place in February.

An inquest heard yesterday that mystery still surrounded how Ms Longworth had not seen the pensioner as she crossed the street after a shopping trip.

She had begun crossing the road as traffic was stuck at the lights at the junction with Manchester Road, Bradshawgate and Trinity Street.

As she reached half way, a flow of traffic came towards her and she was hit by Ms Longworth's silver Citroen Saxo.

Driver Paul Wright, who was driving near Ms Longworth's car, said he clearly saw the pensioner and another pedestrian crossing the road.

But when the police interviewed Ms Longworth, she said she had not seen Mrs Lewyk at all until she was "on my bonnet".

Her only explanation was that something must have blocked her view.

Pedestrian Adam Arkwright said he had crossed the road at the same time as the pensioner. As they crossed the road the lights turned to green, but Mrs Lewyk had her head down and did not notice the cars coming.

He heard a screech of brakes and the impact before turning to see her lying on the floor.

Pc Lee Entwistle, of Bolton traffic police, said they had not worked out why Ms Longworth had not seen Mrs Lewyk before the accident.

A white Transit van seen crossing Bridgeman Place as the traffic came down the hill would not have blocked her view for long enough, said accident investigator Pc John Griffin.

But there was no evidence that she had driven too fast, been drinking, or been distracted by talking or using a mobile phone.

Ms Longworth, who is being prosecuted for driving without due care and attention, declined to give any further evidence.

Coroner Aiden Cotter recorded a verdict of accidental death.

Afterwards, Mrs Lewyk's daughter, Vera Bourn, said her mother had just got her confidence back after being mugged when she was killed.

She said she had come to England in 1947 after being uprooted from the Ukraine to do forced farm work for the Nazis during the Second World War. She added: "She was a lovely lady and it is a shame that she lived so long for her to die in this way."