The family of a woman who died in a crash at an Asda petrol station in north Manchester have paid a heartfelt tribute to her, describing her as 'beautiful and selfless'.
Linda Whitelegg tragically died in the one-car crash at the forecourt of the petrol station on Moston Lane in Harpurhey on Wednesday (March 22). Greater Manchester Police said previously that she is believed to had suffered a suspected medical episode behind the wheel of her Nissan Micra.
The 78-year-old had celebrated her birthday just two days before the incident. She leaves behind her partner, sisters, son, grandsons and great-granddaughter.
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Linda ran a hairdressers in the Cheetham Hill area for more than 50 years, before moving to Blackley with her family. Her family said she will be 'greatly missed by all who knew her'.
In full, their statement, issued through GMP said: "With great sadness we share the passing of Linda Whitelegg on 22nd March 2023, 2 days after her 78th birthday. We are all devastated by the loss of this beautiful and selfless loving woman.
"She will be greatly missed by all who knew her. She leaves behind her best friend and partner of over 45 years Arnie, her two sisters Robin and Rosemary, her only son Paul, grandsons Richard and Stefan, great-granddaughter Lucianna, and her Mum, Jade, plus many family and friends who loved and adored her.
"Linda will be remembered in the Cheetham Hill area by running her hairdressers Edna Hurd for over 50 years, which was used as a community get-together for local people. Since retiring and leaving her shop in Cheetham Hill, Linda moved to Blackley Village where she continued to raise her grandson Richard and support families within her community in any way she could, to keep her active."
Linda's family also thanked emergency services and those who helped her at the scene of the incident, including a pregnant nurse who was first to help. "The family would like to thank the Asda petrol station colleagues, the two off-duty police officers and the heavily pregnant nurse that were first to attend our beloved Linda", her family said.
"Also thank you to the amazing response from the emergency services that attended immediately to try and save her. We would also like to thank the general public that were at the scene, that helped in anyway they could.
"It has touched our family that so many people were around Linda at this time of the accident and that she wasn’t alone. May she rest in peace."
GMP have issued an appeal for information. Anyone with information or on the forecourt at the time of the incident is asked to contact police on 0161 856 4741 quoting log 1103-22/3/2023.
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