A COMMUNITY was yesterday struggling to come to terms with the death of an elderly woman in a horrific accident.

Jenny Spedding, 86, was killed as she crossed the road near the exit to the bus station, on Durham's North Road, at about 12.15pm on Monday.

She was struck by the rear of a bus, and dragged almost half a mile to Crossgate Peth, before being thrown clear on a bend at St Margaret's Health Centre.

Mrs Spedding, a widow from Sherburn Hill, near Durham, was certified dead at the scene, although police said that due to the nature of her injuries, it could take at least a week to formally identify her through DNA tests.

Mrs Spedding's daughter and neighbours were yesterday too upset to talk about the tragedy.

But Durham City councillor Mildred Brown, who represents Sherburn Village, said: "It's absolutely terrible. Jenny was charming. She was in the Salvation Army and was an adorable person.

"Everyone just gets so upset when we think about the terrible ordeal she went through. Our thoughts go out to the family and close friends. It's a tremendous tragedy."

Police were yesterday examining camera footage from the accident scene, while forensic tests were carried out on the Arriva bus.

A police spokesman said: "There were no passengers on the bus when it was stopped in Ushaw Moor, but we believe there were passengers on it during its journey from Durham.

"It's not clear how many, and we haven't spoken to any of them. We are looking for witnesses who were on the bus."

The spokesman said other witnesses had been extremely helpful, with two even donning yellow jackets to direct traffic away from Mrs Spedding's body.

Liberal Democrat councillor Nigel Martin, of Durham County Council, said: "Two deaths at the bus station in three months is really very concerning indeed. Bus drivers are not seeing pedestrians and the county council needs to see if anything needs to be done in terms of road marking."

Pensioner Mary Bongard died from her injuries after an accident in October.

Witnesses to Monday's tragedy are asked to contact police on 0191-386 4929