Family pay tribute to mum-of-two who died after being hit by car outside school

The heartbroken family of a “caring” mum-of-two have paid tribute to her after she died when she was hit by a car as she waited to pick up her children from school.

Rita Alexandra Bento Magni was understood to have been resting at a bus stop while waiting for her children when she was hit by a car.

A car driving north on Phillimore Road, Sheffield, had collided with another vehicle pulling out of Fitzmaurice Road. The north-bound car spun out of control and tragically hit the woman at the bus stop.

Two 21-year-old men have been arrested in connection with the crash.

The junction of Phillimore Road and Eleanor Street was taped off by police yesterday (4 October) following the tragic collision at 2.45pm as parents gathered for home time outside Phillimore Community Primary School.

Despite the efforts of members of staff from the school, neighbours and ambulance crews, the 30-year-old was pronounced dead at the scene.

‘She was polite, kind and always smiling’

Today, Rita’s family spoke of their heartbreak as they laid flowers at the scene of the accident.

Her brother in law, Muhammad Amir, said: “She was an excellent person. She was a caring mother and wife.

“She was polite, kind and always smiling. She was very good to everyone. She had good relations with her neighbours and the teachers, and they knew her because she was always smiling.

“We’re heartbroken. We are in shock. It feels like a dream. We cannot believe what has happened.”

Parents were set to come together at 2.45pm on Tuesday to lay flowers at the junction.

This morning, parents outside the school gates in Darnall tried to come to terms with the shocking death.

One mum, who asked not to be named, said: “It’s just so tragic. I could not get to sleep last night thinking of it. My daughter was crying a lot last night too.

“The road wasn’t cleared until late last night. The police were here a long time.

“We’re going to get together to lay flowers later.”

One resident who came out to help Rita after the accident said: “I heard a loud bang and came out to see what had happened. It was horrible.

“Someone called 999 straightaway but the ambulance didn’t get here until 3.05pm. We just tried to help but there was anything we could do until the ambulance arrived.

“An air ambulance arrived too but she had already passed away when it got here.”

‘Our thoughts are with all those closely affected by this devastating news’

South Yorkshire Police have appealed for witnesses or anyone with dashcam footage to come forward.

A statement from the force said: “A woman has died following a collision between two vehicles and a pedestrian yesterday (Monday 4 October) in Sheffield.It is reported that the collision took place at about 2.53pm at the junction of Chapelwood Road and Phillimore Road.

“As a result of the collision, one of the vehicles left the road and made contact with a pedestrian, a woman in her 30s, at a bus stop.

“Emergency services attended but despite the best efforts of paramedics, the woman was pronounced dead at the scene.

“An investigation is ongoing and two men, both aged 21, have been arrested in connection with the collision. Anyone who witnessed the crash or who has dashcam footage of the moments leading up to it which could help with the investigation should contact police via our online portal at www.southyorks.police.uk or by calling 101, quoting incident 486 of 4 October.”

Headteacher at Phillimore Community Primary School, Gillian Briggs, said: “At the end of the school day yesterday a tragic incident occurred outside the school. We are aware that the police are investigating and we are unable to give more information at this time.

“The school thanks the staff, parents and members of the community who responded so quickly and tried to help until the emergency services arrived.

“Our thoughts are with all those closely affected by this devastating news. In the coming days we will attempt to come to terms with this news as a school and community. There will be support available for children, families and staff, as needed. As always, we know the Phillimore Primary School community will support each other through difficult times.”

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