Shocked residents have told of their horror after their neighbour and her dog were mowed down by an unoccupied car which rolled down a hill on their street.
The 80-year-old lady, named locally as May Cullen, was with her little pooch Oscar on Willow Drive in Airdrie when the pair were knocked down and killed at 8.30pm on Saturday. Locals told how they heard a bang before rushing out to try and save the popular OAP, with some trying to administer CPR.
May, of nearby Oakbank Street, was well-known in the area and was often seen walking Oscar several times a day. First responder Jena Hughen, 33, said she heard a bang before she rushed out to try and help.
Jena said: "We just heard the bang and looked out the window to see the car backwards in the garden across the road.
"Once I saw what had happened I ran out in my pyjamas. It was just awful.
"Her husband had come out because she was taking so long with the dog - and when he saw May he was in some state. He wouldn't let go of my hand."
Paying tribute to May, Jena added: "We have known her for years. She was well-known in the area. She was a really nice woman, she was very fit for her age - you would never know she was 80. She was always up and down with her wee dog.
"Me and my mum met her in Tesco last week and she was in good spirits out with her daughter. She had a great sense of humour.
"It's such a loss. Knowing we will never see her walking up and down the road with her dog ever again is heartbreaking."
May and Oscar were knocked down by the unoccupied black Citroen C3 near the junctions with Pine Street and Lime Crescent before the vehicle continued down the road and smashed into local resident Georgie Forest's front gate.
Georgie, 85, told the Record: "I was sitting on my couch when I heard the bang. When I looked out the window I couldn't believe my eyes. The car was sitting up the way at an angle and my gates had been smashed down.
"It's tragic, when I looked across the road I saw May and the wee dog was lying there as well. The gates can be replaced but that wee soul can't.
"I didn't know May personally but she walked up and down with her dog umpteen times a day and I'd always say hello."
It's understood the Citreon vehicle was lifted by officers early on Sunday morning.
Residents were rocked by the tragedy with many keen to pay tribute.
Another local named Moira sobbed: "It's really upsetting the way it happened. People tried to administer CPR to save her. I just hope they find out what happened.
"During lockdown I got chatting to her when she was out with her wee dog Oscar. She was a wee chatty woman from the east end of Glasgow.
"Everybody knew her, she chatted to everyone."
May's next door neighbour was also left heartbroken by the tragedy, as she added: "I still can't believe it's happened. It was a tragic accident.
"My heart goes out to her husband."
She added: "May was a very nice lady. They've been here for well over 20 years. The family have been there since Saturday night supporting the husband. It's heartbreaking."
May was pronounced dead at the scene of the crash and officers and now appealing for information.
Sergeant John Houston said: “Our thoughts are with the family of the woman who died at what is a difficult time for them.
“Inquiries are ongoing and I am asking anyone who may have information that could assist and has not already spoken to officers to get in touch.
“If you were passing at the time, or have private CCTV or dashcam that could help with our investigation then please contact us.”
Anyone with information is asked to call Police Scotland on 101, quoting incident number 3856 of Saturday, August 13, 2022.
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