Scene of fatal RTA where a woman was hit by a police motorbike at about 10.30am

Woman killed in Gants Hill by police motorbike was going to pray at Sikh temple

by Amanda Nunn Wednesday, June 27, 2012
11:43 AM

A woman killed yesterday by a police motorbike was on her way to sing hymns at a Sikh Gurdwara in Barking.

She was reportedly on her way to the Gurdwara Singh Sabha, North Street where she sang hymns with a ladies’ group for the past 30 years.

Neighbour Sam Hursit, 20, of Eastern Avenue, Gants Hill, said: “She was on her way to temple when it happened. She was very religious.”

The woman, believed to be in her late 70s, was crossing the road at about 10.30am outside her house on Eastern Avenue when a motorbike escorting a convoy hit her. The police officer was taken to the Royal London Hospital, Whitechapel with serious chest injuries.

Spokesman for the gurdwara Tarsame Singh said: “She used to sing hymns at the gurdwara, they are very upset and would like condolences to be sent to her family.

“They are also concerned about the police officer who was hurt as well and wish him a quick recovery.”

The woman would routinely sing at the Singh Sabha gurdwara in High Road, Seven Kings after visiting the gurdwara in Barking.

“For the last 20 or 30 years she would sing here, she was very popular among that group of ladies,” said Mr Singh.

“We are really concerned and would like to do something in her memory but we don’ know what at this stage.”

The 110 taxi convoy was taking children to visit Southend. The annual trip is organised by the London Taxi Drivers Fund for Underprivileged Children.

Raymond Levy, from the Fund, said “The children had to be transferred to other taxis and the convoy continued on to Southend. It’s sad when this happens, but it was out of our hands.”