FAMILY and friends of a ‘soft-hearted’ South Lakeland woman have been left ‘devastated’ after she died in a road accident.

Pedestrian Elaine Steele, 59, sustained fatal injuries following a collision on the A591 at Troutbeck Bridge, near Windermere, involving a car and a tractor.

The housekeeper had finished work at White Cross Bay Holiday Park at Troutbeck Bridge and was walking to the petrol station to be collected when she was struck.

The great-grandmother, of Oxenholme, was pronounced dead at the scene.

In a statement, her family said: “Elaine was very kind to all that knew her, soft hearted and would do anything for anybody.

"She was fun-loving, loved life and loved her family.

“The tragic news has come as such a shock and all the family are devastated.”

Work colleagues paid their own tribute, saying: “She was a fantastic team member and a pleasure to work with. Her hard work and friendliness was appreciated by colleagues and customers alike.”

Cumbria Police is investigating the circumstances of the collision, which happened at around 4pm on Friday near to the Troutbeck Bridge services.

A spokesperson for the force said the tractor was driven by a local 32-year-old man, and the blue Ford Focus was driven by a 61-year-old man from Windermere. Both motorists were uninjured.

Police yesterday (Wednesday) told the Gazette they were still looking for witnesses to try to establish the movements of both vehicles prior to the collision.

A funeral service for the former Lakes School pupil will take place at St James’s Church in Staveley, followed by cremation at Lancaster.

Contact Cumbria Police on 101 with any information.

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