A WAR veteran who was decorated for gallantry died after he was knocked down crossing the road close to his home.

An inquest heard that Charles Scoltock, 90, was involved in a collision with a VW Passat on St Mary’s Way shortly after 7pm on March 12 last year.  It is thought he may have been walking from his home at nearby St Mary’s Court across the road to the Tommyfield pub where he was a regular.

Lucia Toniolo witnessed the accident as she drove up St Mary’s Way. She said she "heard a bang" and saw Mr Scoltock come off the front of the vehicle and land on the floor. She stopped and ran over to help and an ambulance was called.

He was taken to the Royal Oldham Hospital where initially his injuries where not thought to be life threatening but his condition deteriorated and he died the following afternoon shortly before 4pm.

A post-mortem examination concluded Mr Scoltock died of multiple injuries. These included a broken pelvis, ribs, a dislocated knee, a head injury and internal bleeding.

The driver of the VW Passat was 46-year-old housing officer Mark Julius. He gave a negative breath sample at the scene and told police he didn’t see Mr Scoltock.  He was later interviewed under caution and no charges were brought.

During that interview he explained to police how he was only in second gear after stopping at traffic lights and then slowing for a taxi to turn right.

Accident investigator PC Mark Dickman said the impact was at low speed and Mr Scoltock may have been hit after stepping off the central reservation as he crossed over towards Henshaw Street. Mr Scoltock’s son Alan expressed surprise that given the low speed Mr Julius didn’t spot his father. PC Dickman said Mr Julius may have had "just one or two seconds to react".

Alan Scoltock told the inquest his father worked as a cotton spinner for 38 years and then as a caretaker until his retirement at 65.  He saw active service in World War Two and was a bomb disposal expert – receiving the British Empire Medal for gallantry.

Known locally as Charlie Scolly, the widower had two sons, four grandchildren and one great-grandson.

Despite his age he remained very active well into his retirement. His eyesight and hearing were good for his age though he used a walking stick in his last few years.

He had a lifelong love of cricket and founded Coldhurst Cricket Club. He was president of the Oldham Alliance Cricket Club for 20 years and having played the game, he umpired matches into his mid-80s.

Alan Scoltock described his father as "very kind, caring, independent and very popular."

Coroner Simon Nelson said Mr Julius had co-operated fully with the police and had done everything expected of him. He described Mr Scoltock as "a quite remarkable gentleman with tremendous attributes" and recorded a verdict of accidental death.