Arrest after death of woman, 83, hit by city centre taxi

POLICE have arrested a man in connection with the death of a pensioner who was hit by a taxi.

Lilian Oram suffered serious head injuries after being knocked to the ground during the incident in Charles Street, Hanley, at 11.50am on Wednesday.

The 83-year-old, of Dividy Road, Bentilee, was taken to the University Hospital of North Staffordshire but died later that day.

Following initial inquiries, a Stoke-on-Trent man was arrested yesterday afternoon on suspicion of causing death by driving without due care and attention.

He is currently being held at the Northern Area Custody Facility, in Etruria, for questioning.

Louise Finney, who lived a few doors down from Mrs Oram, said she was shocked at what had happened to her neighbour, who had always been friendly to her and her family.

Mrs Finney, aged 35, of Dividy Road, said: "I didn't know Lilian inside out, but I did know her, and what's happened is really shocking.

"She was a lovely lady. I'd see her walking past my window on the way to the shops, and she would always stop to wave.

"She would push a Christmas card through the door every year."

Mrs Finney added: "I think she used to be a midwife as she would talk about that when I was pregnant.

"I believe she was a widow, but I think her family would often visit her at her home.

"Generally though she would just keep herself to herself."

A spokesman for Staffordshire Police said: "Officers in Stoke-on-Trent are investigating the death of an 83-year-old woman following an incident in Hanley.

"The woman has been formally identified as Lilian Oram, of Dividy Road in Bucknall, Stoke-on-Trent.

"She was in Charles Street, Hanley, at around 11.50am on Wednesday 16 February when she was in contact with a dark blue saloon taxi.

"She fell to the ground and suffered a head injury and, sadly, died at the University Hospital of North Staffordshire on Wednesday night."

Police are appealing for information from anyone who saw the incident in Charles Street.

Witnesses are asked to ring Staffordshire Police on 0300 123 4455. Alternatively they can call independent charity Crimestoppers, anonymously, on 0800 555 111.

The incident number is 225 of February 18.

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