'I lost my daughter in horrific circumstances, but I will never forget the people who tried to help'

On the evening of July 22 last summer, Michelle Barlow walked along Chester Road in Stretford on the way to Tesco. As the mum-of-two crossed one of Manchester's busiest roads, she was hit by an Audi A8.

The impact knocked her onto the opposite carriageway, and into the path of an oncoming Mercedes. The 41-year-old suffered "unsurivable" injuries and was declared dead in hospital an hour later.

Following the collision, at around 10pm, the driver of the Audi, Rashid Javed, drove off, running a red light in the process.

But in her tragic final moments, Michelle's mother knows her daughter was not alone.

READ MORE: Tears in court as driver who left death crash scene apologises to family

Two friends on their way to the gym ran into the nearby supermarket to grab a defibrillator. The driver of the Mercedes and two occupants of a passing taxi ran to her aid, desperately commencing CPR while they waited for emergency services to arrive at the scene.

This week, after Javed was sentenced for fleeing the scene, Michelle's mum Karen told the Manchester Evening News she simply wanted to thank these Good Samaritans who did "all they could" for her daughter.

"I would just like to say thank you to all of them for doing all they could and trying to save her" she said. "Sadly for us they couldn't. But it's comofrting to know that they tried their best. So thank you to all of them, it means a lot to us."

Javed returned to the scene half an hour later and began cooperating with officers. No one one was charged with causing Michelle's death.

The 38-year-old, of Bradfield Road, Stretford, was prosecuted for his actions following the crash. He appeared at Manchester Magistrates Court on Monday (November 25) where was handed a 12 month community order, which requires him to do 100 hours of unpaid work.

He was however allowed to keep his driving licence, which was endorsed with 10 points. There were tears in both the dock and public gallery as a letter of apology from Javed to the family was read aloud in court.

Following the sentencing, Karen told the M.E.N. two young men on their way to the gym pulled over and and ran into Tesco to get a defibrillator, she said. Whilst the driver and two occupants of a passing taxi, which also pulled over, rushed to Michelle's aid with the passengers beginning CPR on her as emergency services were scrambled to the scene.

The driver of the Mercedes, despite being in "real shock" had "got out and did what he could" she added. They all remained with her until police and paramedics arrived and took over.

"I know it was July but it was a terrible night" Karen said of the night, which saw torrential downpours. "And they stayed there getting soaking wet through until they couldn't do any more."

She added the police had been "very good and very helpful."

Michelle was a "a friendly bubbly chatty person" who was "loved by all her family and many friends" her loved ones say. She went to Tottington High School in Bury, and lived in Tottington until moving to Manchester. As well as Karen, now 69, she left behind sister Emma, adult daughter Lauren and her young son. Lauren had also lost her dad from cancer just a few years earlier.

"It has been very difficult for all of us" Karen said. "She was just a lovely person Even know we get so many messages about her. And we all miss her so much."

After his first appearance, where he pleaded guilty, a first proposed date for Javed''s sentencing was adjourned. Karen said having to sit in a courtroom on three occasions had been tough. "We have had to go three times and it's not a nice place to be sat, listening talking about what happened.

"We know have a hit of comfort that its all over and we can just remember the good times we had with her. All her friends and family feel the same."

District Judge Lucy Hogarth told Javed he wasn't "culpable" for Michelle's death and that his actions "made no difference to the outcome, either for Michelle Barlow or the investigation."

However he had a "legal and moral obligation" to stop and assist Ms Barlow, and to immediately "offer himself up for investigation." She said it was "extremely fortunate no further harm was caused" as a result of him running the red light.

He was handed a 12 month community order, with 15 rehabilitation activity requirement days. He was also ordered to carry out 100 hours of unpaid work. His licence was endorsed with 10 penalty points. He was also ordered to pay £ 114 victim surcharge and £ 85 in costs.