Khatija Umarji, 77, pronounced dead at the scene on Monday after she was hit by a road sweeper’s vehicle in West Yorkshire as a man was arrested on suspicion of dangerous driving
A pensioner died after being hit by road sweeper as she crossed the road in a busy shopping street.
Khatija Umarji, 77, from Bately, was pronounced dead at the scene following the tragic incident at 9:55am on Monday (June 24) in West Yorkshire. A man has since been arrested on suspicion of causing death by dangerous driving but has been released on bail after a police interview. Emergency services rushed out to Commercial Street in the town centre but, despite their best efforts, the pensioner was pronounced dead at the scene. Detective Sergeant Nina Roper, of West Yorkshire Police’s Major Collision Enquiry Team, asked drivers in the area at the time to check their dashcams so officers can piece together the timeline of events.
She said: “A woman has sadly lost her life, and an investigation is under way to establish the circumstances of what has taken place. We have spoken to a number of witnesses at the scene but would urge anyone else who has seen any part of this incident, or the events leading up to it, to please make contact.
“Motorists who were in the area are also asked to check whether they have captured any relevant dashcam footage if they have one fitted.” However, anyone with any footage has been asked not to share it online out of respect for Khatija’s family.
Shops in the area remain closed and a police cordon is in place as an investigation is underway. The road sweeping vehicle allegedly involved has also been covered up by a yellow sheet. CCTV footage shows the woman walking across the road in the street before the incident.
Touching tributes have since been paid on social media. One wrote: “So sad May this lady Rest in Peace”. Another said: “R.I.P Dear lady “Thoughts and prayers are with everyone at this sad time”. While a third added: “Condolences to the lady’s family, hope nobody else was hurt”.
Elsewhere, Kirklees Council said it was “deeply saddened” by the woman’s death. A spokesperson said: “We are deeply saddened by the incident that took place in Batley town centre, which has tragically resulted in a fatality.
“Our heartfelt thoughts and condolences are with the person’s family and loved ones. The incident involved a council vehicle. We are fully cooperating with the police as they carry out their investigation.”
A witness, who said he called 999, described seeing the woman trapped underneath the vehicle as her daughter shouted for help. He added: “It affects people a lot, this is a small community.”
A police spokesperson earlier said: “Police are appealing for information following a fatal collision in Batley this morning (Tuesday, 24 June). It was reported at 9:55am that a collision had occurred on Commercial Street involving a road sweeper and a pedestrian.
“The pedestrian, a woman aged in her 70s, was pronounced deceased at the scene. A man has been arrested on suspicion of causing death by dangerous driving and is currently in custody.”
Anyone with information can contact the Major Collision Enquiry Team via live chat online or by calling 101, quoting log number 509 of June 24.
