A MAJOR investigation was underway today after a 92-year-old pensioner died in an accident with a fire engine answering an emergency call.

Hilda Slee of Little Hulton was one of two people to die after accidents on the Bolton area's roads within an hour yesterday.

Pedestrian Mrs Slee suffered head injuries in the accident in Cleggs Lane, a short distance from her home in Brynheys Close. She was taken to Bolton Royal Infirmary but died 70 minutes later. In an accident on the A6 Chorley Road, Blackrod, earlier a 55-year-old Chorley man was killed when his van hit a tree.

And in a third serious accident yesterday evening, two cars collided head-on in Glengarth Drive, Lostock where local people have been campaigning for years for safety measures.

The accident in Little Hulton was the second fatal incident involving a fire engine on Greater Manchester's roads within the last seven days.

The fire crew involved in yesterday's tragedy were on their way to a grass fire in Quarry Pond Road, Little Hulton. The engine was travelling along Cleggs Lane towards Little Hulton displaying its emergency lights and siren when the accident happened near Seddon Street.

Mrs Slee was returning home from a regular visit to the doctor.

She had lived alone in warden controlled Brynheys Close, in Little Hulton, for many years. Stunned neighbour, Mrs Jean Barratt, said: "She was a very nice lady, who tried to be as independent as she could. It is such a tragedy."

Another neighbour, Mr Frank McKenna, said Mrs Slee kept herself busy and was a regular Ring and Ride user.

"I thought she was marvellous for her age. With the help of her family she managed very well for herself," said Mr McKenna.

The fire crew and a local doctor gave first aid to Mrs Slee before ambulance paramedics arrived.

The driver of the fire engine needed treatment for shock. The rest of the five man crew were not injured.

GM Fire service said today: "It is a very sad and tragic loss and the crew is deeply upset and saddened."

Last week, 30-year-old William Baines of Laxey Crescent, Leigh, died when his car collided head-on with a fire engine on a bend in Wigan Road, Leigh.

The tragedy in Blackrod happened when a van driven by Gerald Meldrum, 55, of Eaves Green, Chorley, overturned following an accident with a bus on the A6 near the junction with Chorley Road, Blackrod.

The van left the road near the Drunken Duck pub and crashed into a tree. The road was closed for about two hours. In the third accident, a Citroen AX and a Land Rover Discovery were in head on collision on Glengarth Drive, Lostock.

Citroen driver Julian Digby, 28, of Church Street, Horwich, injured his right arm. Mr Digby is due to be married at the weekend.

The other driver, Gerald DeLacy, 53, of Whitsundale, Westhoughton, was not hurt.

Traffic police are appealing for witnesses to all the incidents on 0161 872 5050. Witnesses to any of these incidents should call 0161 872 5050

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