Police have launched a manslaughter investigation following the death of former carer Ally Evans, 60, who collapsed and died after allegedly being assaulted in a confrontation on a bus in Hartlepool, Co Durham. A 26-year-old woman has been arrested in connection with the incident.
Ms Evans' death has "shattered" her two daughters, six grandchildren and her partner of 16 years, Shaun Mathieson, 69. She was described as a "kind-hearted" grandmother who "lived for her family and her friends".
What happened on the bus
Ms Evans boarded her usual number seven bus into town on Tuesday morning. She told Mr Mathieson via text message that she had met two women and an argument had broken out. Police say an assault then occurred on the bus whilst passengers tried to intervene.
Ms Evans got off at the next available stop, crossed the road and sought help at the nearest premises. She went into a branch of Coral's bookmakers in Hartlepool, where staff gave her a drink of water. But her condition suddenly deteriorated, and an emergency call was made for an ambulance, but her life could not be saved.
Partner's account
Mr Mathieson was waiting in the library when an acquaintance came to him on Ms Evans' instructions - one of the last things she was able to do. He said: "It's still a struggle to take in that Ally has gone, she was such a kind-hearted, bubbly, decent person. She lived for her family and her friends. To lose her this way has been terrible for all of us, and we're waiting for more information on exactly what happened to her."
He added: "We have been together for 16 years but we each have our own homes. We would see each other almost every day and one of the things we would do is go into town together to the shops, meeting at the library. I arrived there on Tuesday and was the only person in the library because she hadn't arrived so I rang to see where she was but got no answer. She then texted to say she was on the bus and had an argument with two women. I tried ringing again and again, but I got no answer. The next thing a man I know came running into the library looking for me and told me that Ally was really ill in Coral's. She had told him 'go and get Shaun, tell him that I have been attacked.' I ran with him to Coral's and said I was Ally's partner. But the police and ambulance service were already with her. I waited outside for four or five hours to see her."
Investigation details
Mr Mathieson learnt to his horror that Ally had died and watched as crime scene tape was put up outside the bookmakers. The 26-year-old woman was later arrested. Ms Evans had been receiving treatment for heart issues but a CT scan and MRI had cleared her, Mr Mathieson said, adding: "She was really relieved to be told she only needed to come back in six months for a check."
Cleveland Police said Ally died inside a premises on York Road, Hartlepool, at around 10:45 a.m. on Tuesday. A Home Office post-mortem examination has taken place, with additional specialist pathology examinations being undertaken to establish the cause of death. The 26-year-old woman arrested on suspicion of manslaughter has been released on conditional bail while enquiries continue. Information can be provided anonymously by contacting Crimestoppers on 0800 555 111.
