'Beautiful' midwife hit and killed by van as she walked through Tesco car park

Kathleen Nicol, 61, was hit by a van in a Tesco car park and rushed to hospital after suffering critical injuries - but tragically died the following day, leaving loved-ones devastated

Tributes have poured in for a "beautiful" midwife who died after being struck by a van in a Tesco car park.

Kathleen Nicol, known by loved-ones as Kathy, was walking through the supermarket car park along Baths Road in Longton when the van crashed into her. Police, paramedics, and an air ambulance were deployed to the scene of the incident on the afternoon of Tuesday, October 22.

"The police collision investigation unit is here. There is a security van inside the cordon," said a witness to the incident. The 61-year-old was taken to hospital but tragically succumbed to her injuries and died the following day. Tributes have since flooded in from devastated friends and family following the news of her sudden death.

One person wrote: "Oh my lovely friend and ex night buddy Kathy. I hope you're at peace with the angels. A beautiful lady with her warm nature and a fantastic midwife and nurse. She helped a great deal of people during her long career. Love and prayers to her family and friends. I'm heartbroken." Another said: "Rest in peace Kathy! You will be missed by many. Such a lovely women taken to soon."

A neighbour of the beloved midwife wrote: "You were such a lovely neighbour. Sending our condolences to your family and friends." Another heartbroken loved-one added: "This is just so awful, so tragic, the poor lady, my heart goes out to all her family and friends at this extremely difficult time."

Staffordshire Police said the driver of the van remained at the scene after the collision and is assisting in the investigation, and that specially-trained officers were deployed to support Kathleen's family at this difficult time. A force spokesman said: "We can sadly confirm that a woman has died following a collision outside a supermarket in Stoke-on-Trent. Officers were called shortly before 12 noon on Tuesday (22 October) to Tesco on Baths Road in Longton following reports of a collision involving a pedestrian and a van.

"The pedestrian, 61-year-old Kathleen Nicol, known by her family as Kathy, was taken to hospital by ambulance with life-threatening injuries. Sadly, Kathleen died in hospital yesterday (Wednesday 23 October)."