Tributes to hospital worker killed in hit-and-run incident

The family of a hospital worker killed in a hit-and-run incident as she walked home from her shift have paid tribute to her.

Janice De'Botte, 57, of West Didsbury, Greater Manchester, was yards away from her home when she was mown down by a van on January 16.

She and another pedestrian were left lying in the road as the car drove away.

The grandmother, who had worked as a cleaner at Wythenshawe Hospital and also at a local care home, died six days later in hospital.

Her friend, a 70-year-old woman who was also hit, remains in hospital in a serious but stable condition.

The incident happened shortly before 7pm on Princess Road in West Didsbury.

Witnesses reported a white Vauxhall Vivaro van had hit the women, stopped briefly and was then driven away from the scene.

A vehicle matching this description was found at the entrance to Wythenshawe Park.

Her family paid tribute to "loving" Ms De'Botte who was also known as Angela.

In a statement they said: "Janice came from a very large family and was a loving mum, partner, nana, sister, aunty and cousin, she also had a large circle of friends and was a popular neighbour.

"On the day of her accident Janice was on her way home from working a shift at Wythenshawe Hospital and was crossing the road on a pedestrian crossing with a friend only yards from her home when they were both struck by a van. The van driver sped away from the scene without stopping leaving them both lying in the road.

"Everything Janice did was for her family and she was extremely proud of them all and everything they had achieved. Words cannot express how we feel that she has been taken away from us so suddenly and so cruelly."

Greater Manchester Police (GMP) said that two men were arrested on suspicion of causing serious injury by dangerous driving and failing to stop at the scene of a collision.

They have both been bailed pending further inquiries.

Anyone with information is asked to contact police on 0161 856 4741.

Alternatively, information can be passed to police anonymously by calling Crimestoppers on 0800 555 111.