A 69-YEAR-OLD pedestrian who was killed in a lorry crash will be "greatly missed throughout Heckmondwike" as the first image of her emerged yesterday afternoon.

The victim - named locally as Jean Hepworth of Liversedge - was involved in a crash with a DAF large goods vehicle, on Westgate, near Market Street in Heckmondwike, at around 11.06am on Thursday.

She was pronounced dead at the scene.

A picture of the much-loved and well-known lady has emerged and is being shared on social media website, Facebook.

Bargain World Store Manager, Helen Hilton, who was at the scene while emergency services tried to save Jean, paid tribute to her.

She said: "It's so hard to come to terms with it.

"I was stood there at the time of her passing, holding the blanket while medics did their thing.

"I didn't even know it was her at that point, then someone told me it was Jean."

"We were talking about it today, the first thing she would say when she came into the shop is 'have you got anything new in Helen'.

"She was our best customer, not because she bought stuff but because she had time.

"She's going to be greatly missed throughout Heckmondwike, she will be."

Jean was a regular in Bargain World and was particularly fond of one specific staff member, according to Miss Hilton.

She said: "Jean came in here every day, every single day, from the day we opened - Monday to Sunday - up until her passing.

"She was just a character, she really was.

"I can't describe her because you never knew what she was going to say.

"She always said what she wanted but you didn't mind because of who she was.

"She'd stay in our store for up to three hours and just loved to talk to people.

"Jean absolutely adored our owner, Jonathan Haigh. She even gave him a Valentine's Day card, gave him a kiss and asked to go on a date."

Heckmondwike has pulled together as one in the aftermath of the tragedy and that sense of community is something special says Miss Hilton.

She said: "I went to Morrison's to get some flowers and since I put them there, seven more bunches from other stores have appeared.

"As a community, it's so lovely.

"I was sent a bunch of fresh flowers from Flowers by Salindra because they knew I was there and how traumatised I was.

"It's nice knowing there's a community that loved her and that is always concerned about others, because with Jean, you can't say enough good about her.

The Major Collison and Enquiry Team (MCET) would like to speak to anyone who saw the collision or what happened prior to it.

You should ring the MCET on 101 and quote police number: 13200101677.

Information can also be given online at: westyorkshire.police.uk/101livechat