Mum killed months after winning huge sum on Postcode Lottery

A mum who scooped £13,000 on the Postcode Lottery has tragically passed away just months after her win. Anna-Marie Stevens, 52, from Westcliff-on-Sea, met with a horrific accident when a car careered onto the pavement, striking her and her 23 year old daughter.

The emergency services were called to the junction of Hamlet Court Road and St John's Road on Thursday evening amid reports of the collision. Despite being rushed to hospital by paramedics, Stevens was pronounced dead.

It has emerged that she had recently been celebrated as a lottery winner, having devoted much of her prize to a poignant cause. Milton Labour took to Facebook to inform the community of the tragedy, stating: "On behalf of the Milton Councillors, it is with deep sadness that we have heard this morning that a speeding car mounted the pavement and hit a mother and child in St John's Road in Westcliff last night.

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"Tragically the mother passed away in hospital. Our thoughts are with the family at this sad time. This tragic accident could have been avoided and was due to speeding."

Essex Police have since confirmed the arrest of the driver at the scene, reports the Mirror. The police force revealed to the publication: "We were called to reports of a collision between a car and two pedestrians at the junction of Hamlet Court Road and St John's Road at just before 5.30pm.

"A 52-year-old woman and her 23-year-old daughter were taken to hospital, sadly, despite the best efforts of medical professionals, the 52-year-old woman died. Her daughter's injuries are described as not life-threatening or life changing.

"The 31 year old driver of the car, a black Suzuki Splash, was arrested at the scene on suspicion of causing death by dangerous driving and driving while unfit through drink or drugs. She remains in custody for questioning."

The mother, who has been described as a "lovely and caring" person, had recently won a fortune on the lottery, according to Echo. She was interviewed by the publication in January after she spent almost her entire winnings on her dog who had fallen ill.

In total, she had scored £13,305 on the lottery, but she wanted to save her beloved pet Paul who had "ingested poison" at a park. Sadly, Paul passed away from kidney failure a few days later.

She said at the time: "Vets are convinced it was poison. I don't want anyone going through the heartache that we went through. I used all my winnings from the postcode lottery, and we lost our dog, he was beautiful."