Tributes to woman killed in crash as she paid for a taxi

A GRANDMOTHER was killed just yards from her own front door when she was hit while paying for a taxi.
Mary Byrne was killed as she paid a private hire fare near her home. Picture: Ross Parry AgencyMary Byrne was killed as she paid a private hire fare near her home. Picture: Ross Parry Agency
Mary Byrne was killed as she paid a private hire fare near her home. Picture: Ross Parry Agency

Mary Byrne, 51, died on Saturday evening after the collision between the taxi and a BMW. Three people have now been arrested in connection with the incident in Bradford.

It emerged yesterday that the accident happened just a few steps from the gates of a primary school where a poster by her seven-year-old granddaughter Grace pleaded for drivers to be considerate.

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Mrs Byrne’s family paid tribute to the grandmother-of-seven, who was a cook at the nearby Cooper House nursing home and lived with her partner Alan.

Her eldest daughter Sam Rees, 33, said: “She was a mum, she brought up four children and she loved her grandkids, her children and her mum and dad. Her family was her, that was it.

“She didn’t have hobbies, we were her hobby and any spare moment she had she would spend it with one of us and the grandkids.”

Youngest daughter Sarah Harrison, 31, said: “I had twins, they are only 14 months old and she looked after them on Mondays. She would have been here making them pancakes for their tea.

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“Seven grandchildren she had, the eldest being ten, we have been robbed of our mum and our children of their grandmother.”

The crash occurred at 5.16pm on Mandale Road, Buttershaw. The only occupant of the BMW, a 21-year-old man, has been arrested on suspicion of causing death by dangerous driving and remains in police custody.

Two other men, aged 19 and 17, have also been arrested on the same charge and remain in custody.

Police are appealing for witnesses. Anyone with information should call 01924 293047.