Friends of Harbhajan Kaur have recited the Guru Granth Sahib in her memory

A 78-year-old woman killed by a police motorbike last week “never said an angry word to anyone in 16 years”, her grieving friend has said.

Harbhajan Kaur had eight grandchildren

Harbhajan Kaur, 78, was hit as she crossed the road outside her home in Eastern Avenue, Gants Hill.

Mrs Kaur, who was pronounced dead at the scene, was on her way to the Gurdwara Singh Sabha, North Street, Barking, when the accident happened.

She was a member of a women’s group who recited the holy text at the gurdwara.

Fellow group member Dhillon Kaur-Gurdev, 41, of Chigwell, said: “I knew her for 16 years, she arranged my marriage.

“I heard the same day what happened, I was shocked. No one could believe that she died that morning, everybody in the gurdwara was very sad.”

Mrs Kaur came to England from India more than 20 years ago and had lived in Gants Hill with her son for the past 18 years.

Mrs Kaur-Gurdev added: “She was a very good lady and respected everybody. She never said any angry word to anyone in 16 years. She was a good friend and any advice she gave was always good advice. I will miss talking to her.”

Mrs Kaur sang at the women’s group two or three times every week, something she had done for the past 16 years.

Leader of the group Baljit Kaur, 72, of Barking, said: “I was shocked at the news, it was very sad. We went with some other ladies to the house but we couldn’t go inside because it was all cordoned off by the police. She was a very nice and helpful person.”

Mrs Kaur was hit by a police motorbike which was escorting a convoy of taxis taking underprivileged children to Southend on Tuesday of last week.

The officer involved remains in hospital having undergone a series of operations.

A funeral was held on Tuesday and a three-day recitation of the holy book in her memory was held at the gurdwara. The incident has been referred to the Independent Police Complaints Commission.