A VERDICT OF accidental death was recorded on an elderly woman killed crossing a main road.

At an inquest in Leigh, assistant deputy coroner Alan Walsh ruled Nancy Baxter, aged 71, of Croft Avenue, Atherton, died in the Royal Bolton Hospital as a result of being hit by a car on December 27 last year as she crossed Tyldesley Road in Atherton.

The grey BMW saloon car involved in the accident was driven by Michael Pomfret of Tyldesley Road.

Mrs Baxter's husband Stanley said his wife had gone out to collect her pension -- a journey she regularly made.

Witness Craig Wright was walking along Tyldesley Road with his girlfriend at the time of the accident.

He said: "The woman was walking towards me. She stopped and did a right angle turn and crossed."

Mr Wright said the BMW did not appear to be travelling too quickly.

He said he did not see the collision but heard a bang and the screech of brakes afterwards. He went over to Mrs Baxter to help.

Pathologist Dr Jonathan Pearson carried out the post mortem examination and concluded she died from multiple injuries.

Mr Pomfret told the inquest he was driving at between 20 and 25mph on the road which had a 30mph speed limit.

Police confirmed his car was in good condition and visibility was clear at the time of the accident.

Assistant deputy coroner Mr Walsh said Mrs Baxter might have thought the road was clear and not looked both ways for traffic.

He said he was satisfied Mr Pomfret had been driving within the speed limit and commended his decision to give evidence when not obliged to do so.