THE daughter of a much-loved pensioner who died after a car accidently ploughed into her mobility scooter has told the car driver there “are no hard feelings at all”.

Betty Byrom, 95, suffered severe pelvic and leg injuries when a Mercedes crashed into her whilst she was crossing Audley Road, Saffron Walden, on her scooter in June 2009. She was taken to Addenbrookes Hospital in Cambridge but died two weeks later.

Daughter Margaret Jacobs said her mother was well known in the town and his sadly missed by many.

“She was a very lively lady, and used to take part in groups within the community,” she said. “She was heavily involved in St Mary’s church and also ran a poetry group for people of a similar age and younger.

“She loved to read and love to write poetry verses. We really miss her”.

At an inquest in Chelmsford on Monday Mrs Jacobs met the driver of the vehicle that collided with her mother for the first time and told him that she “had no hard feelings at all”.

She added that it was just an accident and there was nothing the driver could have done.

The Mercedes driver, also from Saffron Walden, was doing approximately 22mph when Mrs Byrom veered suddenly off the curb in an effort to cross the road.

Police said that the motorist, who had 63 years driving experience, had “only seconds to react” and forensics showed that he braked hard leaving tyre marks on the road.

Pc Carter told the inquest: “He reacted very quickly for someone his age. No other cars were involved and all vehicles within the road were parked in bays so the road was clear.”

Coroner Caroline Beasley-Murray recorded the crash as an accident and told Mrs Jacobs: “It was tragic. She was clearly a lively and fit 95-year-old who led an independent life. Cherish the good memories you have of her.”

Mrs Byrom had lived in Saffron since 1980. She moved to the town to be closer to her daughter and also to escape the city life. She grew up in Ilford and around North London, and married Harry Byrom who died 16 years ago.

Mrs Byrom was struck by the front right of the car and her scooter was thrown 10 metres down the road.

Coroner Caroline Beasley-Murray recorded the crash as an accident and told Mrs Jacobs: “It was tragic. She was clearly a lively and fit 95-year-old who led an independent life. Cherish the good memories you have of her.”

Mrs Byrom had lived in Saffron since 1980. She moved to the town to be closer to her daughter and also to escape the city life. She grew up in Ilford and around North London, and married Harry Byrom who died 16 years ago.