Get all your news in one place.
100’s of premium titles.
One app.
Start reading
Liverpool Echo
Liverpool Echo
National
Benjamin Roberts-Haslam

'Special' mum-of-five died while walking alongside her best friend

A "special" mum of five was killed with her best friend when they were hit by a car while on a walk.

Marie Cunningham was walking over the road with her friend Grace Foulds when the pair were fatally hit on Lulworth Road in Southport.

The incident happened on November 30, and now the families are campaigning to introduce a pedestrian crossing on the busy main road.

READ MORE: Man burgled ex-boyfriend then sent explicit videos to his mum and brother

The 79-year-old was described as "special" by her granddaughter and a "woman who was only as old as she felt".

Karla Rimaitis told the ECHO: "When you say the age 79 people tend to think of a frail little old lady but that's just not the case. That's something she would have hated to have been said about her. She was as young as she felt and she enjoyed being with people and being social.

"She was not sitting home in a rocking chair or dangerously trying to cross a road when she's capable of crossing. This woman walked six miles a day, to the end of Southport Pier every day. I think if it can happen to my nan who was fit and active, it could happen to anyone.

Marie Cunningham with her husband Jimmy Cunningham before he died of lung cancer at the age of 69 on October 6 2011 (Karla Rimaitas)

"Imagine what it's like for people like Grace who had a walking frame trying to cross the road. It's not just older people, what about people with disabilities? It's the viewpoint that people have got."

The 34-year-old innovation and improvement coach, along with her family and Grace's family, have started a petition to get a crossing put on Lulworth Road and create a plan throughout the area to make roads safer for pedestrians.

The petition says: "On the 30 November 2021 Marie Cunningham was sadly killed along with her friend Grace simply trying to cross Lulworth road.

"Their deaths have shocked residents in the area who have said that a crossing has been needed for some time and so with this in mind, as a family, we have engaged with Sefton Council and started a process to review the possibility of installing a pedestrian crossing to allow safe passage.

"As part of this process it is important that this crossing request is supported by like-minded people, so as a family, we are looking for your support. We are asking you to sign this petition so we can forward this as evidence to Sefton Council to show the need for change and protect pedestrians in the area."

A spokesperson for Sefton Council said: “Once again our heartfelt thoughts and condolences are with the family and friends of the two ladies involved in this tragic incident.

(Left to right) Susan Rimaitis (daughter), Stephen Cunningham (son), Marie Cunningham, Lynn Cunningham (daughter), Terry Cunningham (son), with Grace (granddaughter) (Karla Rimaitas)

“We are aware of a petition being circulated among the community and we expect to be submitted to Sefton Council in due course.

“Upon receipt of the petition, a formal process will then begin in accordance with Council procedures. This will involve a review of the location and full consideration will be given to any potential new safety measures, including pedestrian crossing provision.”

Receive newsletters with the latest news, sport and what's on updates from the Liverpool ECHO by signing up here

Sign up to read this article
Read news from 100’s of titles, curated specifically for you.
Already a member? Sign in here
Related Stories
Top stories on inkl right now
One subscription that gives you access to news from hundreds of sites
Already a member? Sign in here
Our Picks
Fourteen days free
Download the app
One app. One membership.
100+ trusted global sources.