West Yorkshire: Runaway van kills woman and injures girl

The 46-year-old was mown down on Willans Road, Dewsbury.

A 10-year-old girl suffered serious injuries and a five-year-old girl was also hurt.

In what appears to have been a freak accident, the empty Ford Transit rolled down Swindon Road, which is on a steep hill, after being parked and left by the driver.

The collision happened as the woman and two children walked past the junction outside Willans Road Car Sales yard at about 5.30pm on Friday.

West Yorkshire Police are now investigating suggestions that a problem with the handbrake had caused the van to run out of control.

The driver was said to be distraught. One Facebook user who claimed to know the man posted: “He was working in nearby masjid [place of worship] when this happened.

“He clearly remembers putting the handbrake on and the car being in gear. Obviously it is all down to police investigation.

“All I will say is he is the type of man who would do anything for you in time of need.”

More than a dozen floral tributes have been left at the scene, which is understood to be very close to the woman’s house.

A message on one, from a neighbour, said: “Such a tragic loss of a wonderful neighbour and mother.”

Another said: “Life is so cruel and yesterday you were taken so unfairly. We did not know each other but I saw something happened and wish there was something I could have done.

“All our thoughts are with your family and children.”

A third said: “We may not have known your family but at this sad time we would like you to know that our hearts and prayers go out to you and all your family and hope that your children will be alright and make a full recovery.”