Police chase ends in tragedy
Tributes to fundraiser mum after hit-and-run
TRIBUTES have been paid to a much loved mum-of-two who died after a tragic hit-and-run collision.
Pedestrian Susan Shaw, 47, died at the scene following the collision with a car being chased by police on High Street in Rishton on Boxing Day.
Police said the blue Vauxhall Corsa was being pursued by officers and failed to stop.
Her family said Susan was very well known locally and had raised money to pay for the town’s Christmas lights and decorations.
They said: “Susan was a loving mother-of-two and also a much loved daughter and sister and she will be sorely missed by all who knew her.
“She was always generous with her time with friends and strangers alike and was loved by everyone. One of her friends has described her as ‘one of the kindest people you could ever meet who would do anything for anybody.”
Lynne Norris, of Canine Clippers on High Street, said the collision happened outside her shop. She said: “It doesn’t bear thinking about. She was so caring and such a nice person.”
Coun Ken Moss said: “It’s terrible for all involved. People are going to feel it here. It’s terribly sad for this to happen at any time of the year but particularly at Christmas.”
The Independent Police Complaints Commission (IPCC) has been informed.
TRIBUTES have been paid to a mum-of-two who tragically died in a collision with a car being chased by police.
Pedestrian Susan Shaw, 47, was in collision with a blue Vauxhall Corsa on High Street in Rishton at around 5.50pm on Boxing Day.
She was given emergency medical attention but died at the scene.
Police said the Corsa was being pursued by officers and failed to stop following the collision.
The Independent Police Complaints Commission (IPCC) has been informed and the victim’s family are being supported by specially trained officers, police said.
Susan’s family said she would be sorely missed.
In a statement released by Lancashire Police, they said: “She was well known within the local community in Rishton and spent a lot of time on local charitable causes, particularly ‘Switch On Rishton’, which raises money throughout the year for Christmas lights and decorations throughout the town. Susan was very creative and enjoyed crafting. She would sell items she had made to raise money for Switch On Rishton.
“Susan was a loving mother-of-two and also a much loved daughter and sister and she will be sorely missed by all who knew her.
“She was always generous with her time with friends and strangers alike and was loved by everyone. One of her friends has described her as ‘one of the kindest people you could ever met who would do anything for anybody.”
Lynne Norris, of Canine Clippers on High Street, said she was a ‘lovely and caring person’.
She said: “It happened outside my shop. I was very shocked. It doesn’t bear thinking about. It’s terrible. She was so caring and such a nice person.
“She has a little dog and used to come in a lot bringing her dog in, saying hello and having a chat. I’ve known her for quite a few years since we moved to the shop. She was a lovely girl.”
Coun Ken Moss said everyone in the community is ‘shocked’. He said: “It’s terribly sad for this to happen at any time of year but particularly at Christmas and she’s got children. Our thoughts go out to her family at this time.
“She was a former regular at the Rishton Free Gardeners Club and she was involved with the local community centre and community activities. She was well known in the community and it’s terrible for all involved. People are going to feel it here.”
Nick Hayward, who chairs the Rishton Switch On group, said she was a ‘very valuable and active member’ of the community group for the last three years.
He said: “She has always supported us and helped us raise funds for the community.
“She was always cheerful and will be sadly missed within the group. She is a well-known person. I got the news [on Tuesday night] from another member of our group.
“When Susan’s name was mentioned it was a big shock. There is very little we can do apart from offer our sincere condolences to her family.”
A resident, who asked not to be named, said: “There were lots of police cars and the police were trying their best to help her. We were all very shocked about what happened, especially on Boxing Day.”
Officers recovered the Corsa on Cliff Street and investigations are underway to identify the driver.
Det Insp Warren Atkinson said: “We have now launched a criminal investigation into the circumstances surrounding this tragic incident.
“We would ask anyone who witnessed the pursuit or who may be able to help us to identify the driver to contact us as we continue with our inquiries. Our thoughts remain with the family of the victim at this sad time.”
Call 101 with information quoting log reference 0808 of December 26.
A gofundme online fundraising page has been set up to help Susan’s family.