Life won’t

COMMUNITY IN SHOCK AT DEATH OF MUCH-LOVED SHOP OWNER

Crime Reporter SHE was at the heart of her family and the centre of the community.

Tributes have been paid to a beloved mum and chip shop owner who died after she was hit by a car.

Rani Grewal was out walking with her husband, known as Bunty, and his sister when the collision happened on Monday night.

The mum-of-three died as a result of her injuries, while her relatives remain in hospital.

Police have arrested three people in connection with the crash.

Rani, 49, and Bunty had run Bunty’s Chip Stop on Newcastle’s Newbiggin Hall estate for more than 20 years and were loved members of their community.

And as their close-knit family tries to come to terms with their loss, they have paid tribute to “an angel on earth”.

Bunty’s brother, Gurinder Grewal, 46, said: “She was just a pillar of strength. She did everything for her kids, she was so proud of them. Our lives are not going to be the same without her, she united everybody.”

Avid Newcastle United fan Rani was born in Leicester but moved to Newcastle’s West End as a child.

She and Bunty, whose real name is Jatinder, opened Bunty’s Chip Stop more than 20 years ago. The business went from strength to strength and earned an army of loyal customers from the local area.

Rani was also a regular volunteer at her local Sikh Temple and the one relatives turned to for help and support.

“Rani was very popular, not just with us but with staff and the community,” Gurinder continued. “She had lived in the West End all her life. She went to Wingrove Primary School, then Rutherford High School.

“We were lifelong friends. I have known her all my life. I have always treated her as a big sister, we all used to go out together. I’m getting inundated with messages from people.”

Rani and Bunty would regularly walk in Spital Tongues, near their home in Fenham. And it was during one of these strolls that the collision happened.

Bunty and his sister’s injuries were not life-threatening, but the heartbroken husband remains in hospital.

“He’s just mesmerised, I just think he’s still in shock,” said Gurinder. “They were going to be celebrating their 27th year of marriage this year.

“My brother fractured his shoulder and his eye socket and he has a lot of bruising, but he’s been lucky – he’s going to be fine.”

Another family member, who we agreed not to name, said: “She was just very caring. She was a full-time mum, but also worked in the family business.

“She was so committed to her family.