A ‘disgusting thief’ stole the purse of an elderly woman as she lay dying in a Wigan street after being hit by a lorry.
Ethel Irene Ditcher, 82, known as Irene to friends and family, was hit by an HGV on Leigh Road at 11:45am and was pronounced dead at the scene.
Following a successful police appeal to trace her family, Irene’s nephew and niece have now condemned the actions of the sick opportunist.
Their statement read: “We cannot believe that someone has done this to our auntie. We are absolutely disgusted by this person’s actions.
“We just hope their conscience gets the better of them and they hand themselves in to the police”.
Detectives are now hunting the thief, who is described as a white male, 6ft tall, between the ages of 30 and 40, with a dark brown beard.
At the time of the theft he was wearing a light grey hoodie with the hood pulled over his head, light blue jeans and black boot-style training shoes.
Irene’s nephew and niece also paid an emotional tribute to their auntie.
They said: “We, the family of Irene would just like to thank the public for the kindness shown in our loss.
“To our dearly loved auntie, who was taken from us; you now sit with the angels and your beloved family. You will be sadly missed by your dear friends and you will always be in our hearts but never forgotten.
“Rest in peace until we meet again. Good night, God bless.”
Anyone with information should phone police on 101 or the independent charity Crimestoppers, anonymously, on 0800 555 111.
