Devi Ben Patel, who was killed a stone's throw from her home aged 79

A grandmother who died in a road collision just a stone’s throw from her doorstep was like a mother to everyone who knew her, her family has said.

Devi Ben Patel, 79, was walking home at around 1pm on Tuesday after visiting a neighbour in Northchurch Road, Wembley, when she was in collision with a van. Emergency services, including the Air Ambulance, raced to her aid but Mrs Patel, who was in cardiac arrest when they arrived, was pronounced dead at the scene.

Her children, grandchildren and friends gathered at her home in Tokyngton Avenue yesterday, where she lived for 40 years, still in shock over the tragedy.

Mrs Patel’s son Bhupendra, 51, described his mother as an active woman who was well-known in the neighbourhood. He said: “She was out and about every day - it was rare to find her sitting at home. Everyone around here called her mother.”

Her four children and five grandchildren were among the many mourners paying tribute to the family matriarch.

The accident, on the corner of Tokyngton Avenue and Northchurch Road, is under investigation.

The 48-year-old driver of the van was arrested on suspicion of death by careless driving and is currently in custody.