Margaret Crichton was a respected former midwifery tutor in ManchesterTribute: Margaret Crichton(Image: UGC/FAMILY)

The family of a much-loved woman killed in a supermarket car park crash before Christmas have paid tribute to ‘a beautiful soul taken from us too soon’. An inquest into the death of Margaret Ann Crichton, who was 78, has now been opened and adjourned by a coroner.

Ms Crichton, who was retired, was a respected former midwifery tutor, understood to have taught and carried out research at the University of Manchester.

She was fatally struck by a car in the car park of the Asda supermarket on Greenfield Lane in Shaw, Oldham, at around 6.50pm on December 18. She sadly died later in hospital.

Ms Crichton’s family released a photograph and a tribute via after a coroner heard brief details surrounding the tragedy. In a statement, her family said: “In loving memory of Margaret Crichton (Mac). A beautiful soul taken from us too soon, dear sister, friend, aunt and great aunt. Sadly missed by all who knew her.”

Police at the scene(Image: Milly Molly)

An inquest into Ms Crichton’s death was opened at Rochdale Coroners’ Court on Tuesday (December 30). Ms Crichton was born in Wallsend, Northumberland and lived in Shaw, Oldham, the court heard. She was described as single and as a retired midwifery tutor.

Catherine McKenna, area coroner for Greater Manchester North, took evidence from police coroner’s officer Kathy Skelton at the brief hearing. She said Ms Crichton’s death was verified on December 19.

In a statement referred to by the coroner, Detective Constable Emma Johnson said Ms Crichton was ‘struck by a vehicle in the Asda car park’. The hearing was told CPR was commenced and she was taken to Salford Royal Hospital, where she sadly passed away after suffering injuries said to have been ‘significant’.

A police investigation is ongoing, the coroner added. The inquest was adjourned to resume at a later date.

At the time, police said emergency services were called after reports a person had been hit by a car. The driver of a Peugeot Expert was making their way to the exit of the car park when they struck Ms Crichton, who was said to have been making her way back to her vehicle at the time, according to GMP.

The driver of the vehicle involved in the collision – a 35-year-old man – was arrested on suspicion of causing death by careless driving.

An investigation by GMP’s Serious Collision Investigation Unit (SCIU) is ongoing, but a police spokesperson said no update on the investigation was available.