News Beat
Tributes to Bolton Green secretary after Smithills road tragedy
Vicki Attenborough, branch secretary of the Bolton Green Party and candidate for Bolton West in the 2024 general election, was one of two pedestrians killed on Smithills Dean Road on Monday.
Her party colleagues and friends have now come together in remembering the incredible role she played in Bolton and beyond.
Bolton Green Party chair Alan Johnson said: “She was an environmentalist, a fighter for social justice both nationally and locally.
“She was such a strong woman and always wanted to make Bolton and the country a better place for people to live in.
“Everyone who came into contact with her was in awe of Vicki, she was always interested in what problems people may have had and she wanted to help solve those problems.
“She was just a wonderful, committed person and she will be missed by all of the Bolton Green Party.
“She was a very, very capable secretary, I can’t speak highly enough of her.”
He added: “It’s such a tragic, senseless loss of life.
“It’s been such a shock trying to come to terms with it.”
Ms Attenborough won 4,132 votes in the election of last year, the highest the Green Party has ever scored in the constituency and was respected across the board by fellow candidates.
Mr Johnson said this was a testament to her personal warmth and political integrity.
Ms Attenborough also had many other roles that touched the lives of people all over the borough.
Green Party Cllr Hanif Alli, of Halliwell, said: “She was so much more than a branch secretary, she was in the Samaritans, the climate café, she was an avid support of the Palestinian cause, she was there every Friday.
“And she was so big on the climate change issue.
“So it would almost be doing her a disservice to keep to just her role as the branch secretary, she was our social justice warrior for Bolton.
“I’m not saying there aren’t other warriors for justice out there in Bolton, but she really leaves a huge void.”
He added: “And of course my heart goes out to her family and friends, it’s that time of year when people come together and I just can’t imagine what they’re going through.”
The horrific crash happened at around 7.40am at the junctions of Scout Road, Smithills Dean Road, Colliers Row Road and Coal Pit Road.
Police say a VW Polo had been travelling down Scout Road and collided with two women, aged 57 and 59.
Officers say a 19-year-old man was arrested at the scene on suspicion of causing death by dangerous driving and his since been bailed under investigation.
Anyone with any information can call the Serious Collision Investigation Unit directly on 0161 856 4741, or use the police’s Live Chat service at gmp.police.uk, quoting log 507 of 22/12/2025.
Members of the public can also call independent charity Crimestoppers anonymously on 0800 555 111.
