A BURY woman was killed instantly in an horrific head-on car crash on Tuesday as she drove to a meeting of her advanced drivers club.

Mrs Joyce Crossley (pictured) of Newington Drive, Bury, was killed when her Renault 5 collided with a £40,000 TVR on Bury and Bolton Road, Radcliffe.

Mrs Crossley was the publicity officer for the Bolton Group of the Institute of Advanced Motorists, and was on her way to a meeting there when the horrific accident happened.

A 32-year-old passenger in the sports car, Mr Neil Turner of Greenwich, London, also died in the smash.

The TVR's driver Mr David Masterson (35) of Turks Road, Radcliffe, escaped with minor injuries and is currently being treated in Bury General Hospital for cuts and shock.

Police closed off a large section of Bury and Bolton Road shortly after 7.15pm when the TVR, with only 6,000 miles on the clock, collided with the Renault after overtaking a number of cars before the accident near Beals Brick Yard.

The impact of the crash sent the Renault skidding on its side up against a lamppost with the rear of the TVR pushed up against it. Fire fighters were forced to cut all three free from the wreckage but Mrs Crossley (66) and the TVR passenger were already dead.

"It was an horrific accident and the crews were very subdued on returning to the station," said Station Officer Paul Myerscough of Bury Fire Service.

"Both the passenger in the sports car and Mrs Crossley were killed instantly in the collision."

Divorcee Mrs Crossley taught business studies in Manchester. A keen bridge player, Mrs Crossley, who lived alone and is survived by a son and daughter, was described by a neighbour as "friendly, always busy and had a full life".

It is believed Mr Masterson, whose condition in hospital is described as satisfactory, and Mr Turner were business partners in a computer company.

An inquest into the tragedy will be opened in Rochdale on Monday.

Anyone who can help police with their inquires are asked to contact Bury Traffic Unit on 0161 856 8072.

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