Daughter’s heartbreaking plea about hit-and-run death of ‘my beautiful mum’
The daughter of a 58-year-old woman killed after being struck by a moped has issued an emotional plea for help in finding two people on the bike who failed to stop after the collision.
It comes after police released new CCTV footage of two people they would like to speak to after the mother was killed six months ago.
It happened shortly after 6pm on Tuesday, January 16, in busy Talgarth Road, West Kensington – the road that links Earl’s Court to Chiswick and the M4.
Ina Rodrigues was crossing the road at the junction with Gliddon Road when she was struck by the moped.
Officers and London Ambulance Service were called to the scene and Ina was taken to hospital but despite the efforts of medical professionals she sadly died in hospital five days later, on Sunday, January 21.
Ina’s family continue to be supported by specially trained officers.
The moped did not stop at the scene and CCTV captured the moment it was abandoned a short while later before the rider and passenger fled the scene on foot.
Ina’s daughter, Fara, said: “My mum was a beautiful, kind soul who loved life and all that it had to offer. She stayed grateful for all that she had and was looking forward to the future she had ahead.
“She was my last surviving parent and took on the role of mum and dad to give me and my younger sister everything she could and I was supposed to be able to give that back to her.
“She messaged us both at 6pm on Tuesday, 16 January saying she was on her way home from work. Eight minutes into her 10-minute walk to the train station she was hit by two individuals on a moped whilst crossing Talgarth Road, at the junction with Gliddon Road, just by Barons Court station.
“The two instantly fled the scene and left her in the middle of a busy road. She sustained horrific injuries and sadly died in hospital five days later. All she wanted to do was come home to us and she now doesn’t get the opportunity to do that.
“My mum’s life was so cruelly and unfairly taken away from me and my family. I now live everyday with anxiety and grief that I have no answers six months later as to who the individuals responsible are.
“My family and I need answers and as a community we need to take the two responsible, who clearly have no regard to human life, off the streets.”
She added: “When you go home today you deserve to see your loved ones, whether that’s your parents, grandparents, siblings, children, your friends or flatmates, all safe and well. I never thought anything like this would ever happen to someone I love and I would hate for this to happen to again to someone else.
“I am asking you from the bottom of my heart to please call in if you have any information, regardless how small it may seem. Specifically those from the west London area, please watch this CCTV footage and let the team know if you happen to have any information that could finally put a partial end to the pain my family and I have been experiencing every day for the past six months.”
Detective Sergeant Jim Hinchliffe, from the Met’s Serious Collision Investigation Unit, said: “Ina was a beloved sister, aunt, mother and friend and we are appealing for help in identifying the two people in the footage.
“So far our enquiries have been negative so we are appealing for the public’s assistance. Someone will know who these two individuals are. Please, if you know them or if that is you in the picture, do the right thing and contact us or Crimestoppers anonymously.”
There has been no arrest and enquiries continue.
Anyone who witnessed the collision or who has information that could identify the people on the moped is asked to call 101 (24 hours) or the Serious Collision Investigation Unit witness line on 020 8543 5157 – please quote 5566/16JAN.
Crimestoppers can be reached on 0800 555 111.
Pictured top: Ina Rodrigues (Picture: The Met)