Grandmother dies after being knocked down by hit-and-run mobility scooter

A pensioner died after she was knocked over by a mobility scooter.

The 84-year-old grandmother was crossing a road in Sunderland when she was hit.

Although the woman riding the electric-powered buggy said she was going to call for an ambulance, it is thought she left the scene and never came back.

The injured pensioner, who broke her hip, was taken to Sunderland Royal Hospital for surgery and stayed there for 12 weeks.

She died on August 6.

The hospital reported her death to the coroner, as staff were concerned it was linked to the crash.

Northumbria Police investigated the accident, which happened in the afternoon of May 14.

But the scooter rider did not show up on nearby CCTV footage.

As electric-powered buggies are not classed as motor vehicles under road traffic legislation, the rider could not be prosecuted for a motoring offence.

But she could face prosecution on charges such as assault or even manslaughter.

The Highway Code says mobility scooters should not be driven on pavements at more than 4mph or faster than 8mph on roads.

The coroner said: 'We are appealing for witnesses.

'There will be a full inquest and at this stage we do not know what happened.

'The incident was investigated initially by the police who could not find any witnesses or the scooter rider.

'After the lady's death we were contacted by the hospital and, as there is to be an inquest, we are trying to find out what happened.

'If any new information comes to light, the investigation may be passed back to the police.'