Pensioner dies after being hit by van outside Durham Station

Police and paramedics were called to Station Approach just after 1.20pm on Monday (June 8) after an 86-year-old woman was struck by a small van.

She was left with serious injuries to her hand and chest and was taken to the Royal Victoria Infirmary in Newcastle – but tragically died there on Tuesday.

The woman has now been named as Violet Stannard.

Her heartbroken family, who are being supported by specially trained officers, said they would like to “express the heartfelt gratitude to all those who supported her at the scene.”

In a statement, they said: “We would also like to pay our tremendous respect to every single one of the outstanding emergency services who cared for and dealt with the traumatic injuries she sustained and the proceedings following the incident.

“Lastly, to all the amazing staff on Ward 18 Critical Care Unit, RVI, you will never know how much your diligence, quality of care and amazing support shown to the family made such a difference in how we coped with this sudden loss.

“We ask that respect for the family’s privacy be respected while we mourn.”

Drivers were urged to avoid the area following the incident, with the collision unit investigation team remaining at the scene for several hours.

The van driver, a man in his 50s, was not believed to have been injured.

A North East Ambulance Service spokesperson said: “We were called to an incident outside of Durham Train Station on Monday shortly after 1pm.

“We dispatched one ambulance crew and one patient was taken to RVI for further treatment.”