Eyewitness says Bromley newsagent killed in traffic collision was "kind and generous" (From News Shopper)

Eyewitness says Bromley newsagent killed in traffic collision was "kind and generous"

3:10pm Wednesday 1st June 2011 in News By Robert Fisk

AN EYEWITNESS to the crash which led to the death of a newsagent in Bromley yesterday (May 31) has described him as a kind and generous man.

Sachma Cook was on her way to pick up her 15-month-old daughter from nursery when the incident happened just before 6pm in Widmore Road.

She says Mr Patel was crossing the street when a blue Vauxhall Astra hit his left leg and he went flying through the air before hitting his head on the road.

Emergency services were called to the scene and Mr Patel was taken to the Royal London Hospital, Whitechapel, by air ambulance.

A Met Police spokesman has confirmed he later died in hospital.

Ms Cook, who was first on the scene with her eight-year-old son, said: “He was breathing and I just kept saying his name.

“I kind of knew he would not survive because of his age and the amount of blood there was.

“My son had a nightmare last night and it has been awful.

“I just cannot believe it and I was not able to sleep all night.”

Ms Cook worked at Mr Patel’s shop The Magazine, in Widmore Road, while she was pregnant with her daughter.

She said: “The community will miss him greatly.

“He knew every customer and he knew them by first name.

“He was a really family oriented man and he worked so hard.

“He made sure all of his sons had shops and businesses and he was very proud of his family and very generous.

“He was such a kind, generous man and very honest.”

Ms Cook, of Bromley Road, Shortlands, had known Mr Patel for two years and believes he ran The Magazine for more than 20 years.

'Extremely saddened'

Flight Lieutenant Rodney Scrase, aged 90, of nearby Bishops Avenue, Bromley, found out about Mr Patel's death when his paper wasn't delivered this morning.

Battle of Britain Spitfire pilot Mr Scrase said: "We knew him for about 30 years.

"We'd always go in and have a joke with him.

"He was a very nice and industrious guy and we're extremely saddened.

"They have been absolutely superb in the way they have run that business.

"He will be very sadly missed."

The 55-year-old driver of the car, a blue Vauxhall Astra, stopped at the scene.

He was arrested on suspicion of driving without due care and attention and has been bailed to return to a south London police station on September 2.

Any witnesses should call the police on 020 8285 1574.

Did you see what happened? Call the newsroom on 01689 885725.