A FAMILY has paid tribute to an 89-year-old great-grandmother who died after she was hit by a car while walking in Braintree.

Gladys Sims was only a short distance from her home in Cumberland Close when she was hit by a car on Coggeshall Road on Friday evening.

A 36-year-old man from Braintree has been arrested on suspicion of death by careless driving has been released on police bail until October 3.

A family tribute said: “Gladys and her husband Ben were married for over 60 years, and they lived for the last 32 years in Braintree.

“Both Gladys and her husband managed newsagents for over 24 years, and they managed the one in Queen’s Road, Braintree for six years.

“Gladys and her husband retired in 1985 and continued living in Braintree, sadly Ben passed away last August.

“Gladys had two daughters, Margaret and June, and six grandchildren, Caroline, Richard, Sophie, Jenny, Katie and Jon. She also had four great-grandchildren Angela 12, Xanthe five, Molly, one, and Maxwell who was born on Saturday.

“Gladys was always admired by her family for keeping busy and had a real talent for needlework crafts. She recently taught one of her great-grandchildren to knit.

“She loved attending boot sales and had a great ability to find a bargin. She also had a fondness for watching Emmerdale and Corronation Street on the TV.

“Gladys will be sadly missed by all of her family.”

Mrs Sims, who would have turned 90 in December, and another woman, were struck by an Astra car that had been involved in a crash with a Mercedes van near the junction with Cressing Road at about 6pm.

Mrs Sims was air lifted to Royal London Hospital in Whitechapel where she died with her family at her bedside.

The other casualty, a 54-year-old woman from Braintree, suffered a bruised hip and grazing to her face.

• Police have spoken to witnesses at the scene but anyone else who saw the crash or moments leading up to it are asked to contact the Serious Crash Investigation team on 0300 333 4444.