Left for dead by hit-run driver

Natalie Kirwan

A YOUNG woman was left for dead by a speeding hit and run driver who ignored a red light at a pelican crossing.

Natalie Kirwan (20) was walking home from her shift at the Clayton Green pub when she was hit by a green VW Golf in Chadderton Way.

Witnesses say the car was travelling at between 60-80mph when it flung Natalie, of Victoria Street, Chadderton, into the air. Her right leg was shattered in several places at 9pm on Monday.

She now faces a series of painful operations to pin her leg back into place followed by weeks of physiotherapy and will have to stay at the Royal Oldham Hospital for at least two weeks.

Dad Thomas Kirwan said: “Natalie’s life will have to be put on hold. She is still very dazed and can’t stop thinking about how close to death she came.

“When she was hit she landed in the middle of the road and she couldn’t move. She was terrified that she would be run over again because other motorists couldn’t see her.”

Natalie has had to pull out of a holiday to Majorca later this month while her 21st birthday celebrations, on May 8, have also been cancelled.

“She was really looking forward to her birthday and her holiday but now all she can think about is physiotherapy,” added Thomas.

“The person who did this knows they hit her because a witness followed them and they said they would drive back to the scene but then sped off instead. They left my poor daughter for dead.

“I would urge them to come forward and own up to what they have done.”

Witnesses should call police on 0161-856 8844 or Crimestoppers on 0800 555 111.