An inquest into the death of a woman who was hit by a bus near Piccadilly Gardens in Manchester city centre has been opened and adjourned. Joyce Bacon, 60, from Droylsden, Tameside, died when a double-decker collided with three pedestrians at a bus stop stand on July 10.
As reported in the Manchester Evening News Mrs Bacon - described by her family as a loving mother, sister and wife - had been to a cinema to watch a film with her husband, Ian, at the time.
Opening an inquest into her death at Manchester Coroners' Court, Area Coroner Zak Golombeck read out the provisional findings of an investigation by Greater Manchester Police's Serious Collision Investigation Unit. He said the investigation was ongoing and he awaits a 'full and final report'.
Mr Golombeck said that at 9.24pm on Sunday, July 10, a 'twin deck bus' was travelling in a south-easterly direction. The driver, he said, brought the bus to a stop between two bus stop stands at Piccadilly Gardens.
It was stopped 'facing diagonally', the brief hearing was told. Mrs Bacon and two 'further casualties' who were also hit were there at a stand, he said.
The coroner said the Stagecoach bus stopped 'for 50 seconds before setting off'. He said it then continued straight ahead, mounted the pavement and hit a bus stop stand, colliding with Mrs Bacon and the two others.
"GMP should also update me in due course over whether any prosecution is likely," Mr Golombeck said.
The hearing on Thursday was told Mrs Bacon was taken to Manchester Royal Infirmary, where sadly she was pronounced dead. The coroner gave details of a post-mortem examination, which he said found she had suffered multiple injuries.
Another woman, said to be aged in her 50s, suffered serious injuries in the collision, while a man in his 60s received treatment for what police described as 'minor' injuries. No updates on them were given at the hearing.
The bus driver remained at the scene and 'assisted officers with their enquiries', Greater Manchester Police said in the aftermath. He wasn't named at the hearing. The inquest was adjourned to a date to be fixed.
In a statement released through police, the family said Mr and Mrs Bacon had been to see the Top Gun Maverick film together. They said: "Joyce was a loving mother, sister and wife. Joyce was always busy and she loved to take care of people.
"She was very generous by nature just like her mother. She won over people instantly with her fabulous smile. We will all miss her so much, especially me. I would like to thank the emergency services who fought to save Joyce and supported all of us who were involved in this terrible incident.
"Those who had the pleasure of meeting Joyce are devastated by our loss and we therefore ask for privacy at this time to allow us to grieve."
A Stagecoach Manchester spokesperson said: "Our thoughts are with the family and loved ones of Joyce Bacon, as well as with the two people who were injured in Sunday’s incident. Safety is our absolute priority and we are supporting the investigation into the circumstances involved in any way that we can."
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