A PENSIONER was killed in an accident with a car last night - as she bent down in the road to pick up her glasses.

And her devastated son believes her glasses may have been blown off in the fierce wind.

Widow Lily Shaw, aged 78, suffered multiple injuries in the rush hour accident in Ainsworth Lane, Bolton.

The grandmother, from Exeter Avenue, Tonge Moor, was taken to Bolton Royal Infirmary but was to be dead on arrival.

The accident happened as fierce winds battered Bolton before last night's heavy downpour.

Mrs Shaw had been to see her doctor and was leaving the surgery when the accident happened.

Her son, David, was sitting round the corner in his car, ready to pick her up and take her back to the home they shared, unaware of the accident only 200 yards away.

"I was in the car park at the Labour Club so did not see my mother leave the surgery," he said. "I waited for a while and then went into the waiting room to see why she was being so long.

"I was told all the doctors had gone home. I went to the house to see if she had made her own way back. When I saw she was not there, I panicked and returned to the waiting room once again.

"It was then that the caretaker told me that there had been an accident and that he thought he had heard the name Shaw mentioned.

"I went straight home and phoned the police. It was then that I discovered what had happened.

"It was a terrible time and the news came as a great shock. I would not wish what I went through on anybody.

"She was a terrific mother and will be greatly missed by all her family."

Police are appealing for witnesses to the accident, which happened at 5.15pm near the junction of Ainsworth Lane and Kirkham Street.

One witness has told police that Mrs Shaw, a widow, was bending down in the carriageway picking up her glasses when she was hit by a passing VW Passat.

The driver, Patricia Ann Devlin, suffered shock but was unhurt.

Mr Shaw added: "I do not know what happened to my mother. She had gone about 200 yards out of her way. She or her glasses could have been blown by the wind into the road - I just do not know."

Anyone who saw the accident is asked to contact Bolton police traffic unit, tel: Bolton 522466.

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