Couple die after hit-and-run horror leaving 15 children
A COUPLE who between them had 15 children have been killed in a hit-and-run smash.
Friends and family last night paid tribute to Paula Jolly, 37, and Michael Ward, 45.
Ms Jolly was pronounced dead at the scene on Tuesday night, despite the efforts of paramedics. Mr Ward died in hospital on christmas eve.
A teenage driver was yester- day charged with causing death by dangerous driving. Mobein Ali, 19, will appear in court in Manchester today.
Three other people, a man aged 59 and two women aged 19 and 47, were arrested on suspicion of causing death by danger- ous driving. They remain on police bail.
The crash happened on Man- chester’s princess parkway, a busy main thoroughfare south of the city around 10.15pm on Tues- day. The couple were crossing the road when they were hit by a blue Vauxhall corsa.
last night family members paid tribute. Mr Ward’s son Mike, 24, was a finalist on the BBc one show The Voice last year.
He said on Facebook: “can’t get over it... So sad that you’re gone Dad and so sudden.
“Saddest thing is not getting the chance to say goodbye but I know you were very proud of me and all your children.”
Mr Ward’s sister Theresa Mccoy, 47, landlady of the Dover Inn in Broughton, said: “He would have been in here having a laugh and a christmas drink with us. I can’t believe he’s gone.
I’m absolutely devastated I feel broken, like my heart has been ripped out
“The police came round in the morning. They said it was to do with him and my first instinct was to ring paula. I managed to get to the hospital before he died but he was already gone, I could
Mr Ward and, below, his son Mike
tell.” Mr Ward’s daughter Maria, 22, wrote on Facebook: “RIp Dad & paula shocking news on christmas eve too! You’re with Grandma and Grandad now.”
Ms Jolly, originally from Dudley, West Mids, had reportedly been reunited with her family five months ago and was planning to spend christmas with her loved ones for the first time in years.
Her mother Sylvia Duddle, 61, said: “We were in contact again, it was like a fresh start. She was supposed to be coming to one of my other daughters’ houses today and stay for christmas. I’m absolutely devastated. I feel broken, like my heart has been ripped out.”
PC paul Joynson, from Greater Manchester police’s serious collision investigation unit, said: “our thoughts and sym- pathies are with the fami- lies of the man and woman at this tragic time and we have specially trained officers supporting them.
"We are keen to speak to anyone who saw the blue Vauxhall corsa in the area shortly before the collision, and I would urge you to speak to police if you have any piece of information, no matter how small.
“We are fully investigating the circumstances leading up to this collision and are appealing for anyone with any information to call us.”
The road where the accident happened close to an Asda supermarket was closed for about eight hours.
