An elderly Denholme woman died in a road accident after stepping into the road at a pedestrian crossing where the traffic light had turned green, an inquest heard.

Emily Ellerton, 80, of Forrester Court, walked on to the crossing, in Main Road, after a heavy goods vehicle waiting at the lights had started to move forward on January 13.

Due to a blind spot caused by the height of his cab, driver Stephen Hawley did not see Mrs Ellerton.

Motorist Lynn Shaw, who witnessed the accident, said: “I don’t think he could have done anything, I don’t think he could see her.”

In a police interview, transcribed and read to the inquest, Mr Hawley said: “When the lights changed to green, I looked both ways. It was clear, I set off.

“I felt something strange with the wagon, I looked in my mirrors and I saw her.”

Recording a verdict of accidental death, Coroner Roger Whittaker said: “The lorry had probably set off before she stepped on the road in a position where he was prevented by a blind spot in his vehicle from seeing her.”

Mr Whittaker said he felt there should have been a barrier present before the crossing.

The Coroner said although it was not relevant to this accident he would write to Bradford Council to raise his concerns.