A WOMAN died after being crushed by a bin lorry in The Shambles as shocked shop workers watched in horror.

Staff, who had been setting up for the day, shouted “Stop” and made multiple calls to the emergency services but the woman was pronounced dead at the scene. The identity of the pensioner, who was aged 69, has not been released until police have informed her next of kin.

Several eyewitnesses needed treatment from ambulance staff for shock while others were left in tears following the incident outside Argos at 9.15am yesterday.

The driver of the lorry was arrested, which is routine in the case of fatal accidents.

Martin Pugh, store manager at Housewives Choice in Church Street, which joins The Shambles, close to where it happened said it had been a very traumatic incident.

“We knew something was going on straight away,” he said.

“We could hear a commotion going on at the bottom of the street [Church Street] and saw people standing around Timpson and shouting “Stop, stop”.

“People were going to work and opening stores so everyone was standing around.

“The police were there in minutes and were asking people to move up the road.

“There were about 20 to 30 people in tears from the sheer shock of what happened.

“Obviously, it was very traumatic.

“Everyone was in shock.

“There’s two families whose lives have been destroyed - the woman’s and the driver’s.

“There’s been a lot of emotion throughout the day.”

The driver, who has been arrested and is fully co-operating with the police investigation, has been described as a reliable and conscientious by his employer.

Alan Smith, sole proprietor of Smith’s Waste Management of Gloucester, said: “As far as we can tell, it is one of those extremely tragic accidents.

“He wasn’t travelling at speed, it was just a case of wrong place at the wrong time.

“The driver is cut up about it.

“He has been working for us for three to four years and is a really reliable and conscientious driver.

“Our thoughts are with the family and friends of the woman involved.”

He added that they will be holding an internal investigation into what happened in due course.

Throughout the day, the northern end of The Shambles was cordoned off as well as part of Church Street, near St Swithun’s Church while the crash investigation team examined the scene.

Trinity Street to St Nicholas Street was also closed to traffic but all roads and pedestrian areas were reopened by about 3.15pm.

Argos and Timpson remained closed until the cordon was lifted while Thorntons and Parsons Bakery were closed all day.

A spokesman for Argos said: “We offer our deepest sympathies to [the woman’s] family and are providing help and support to our colleagues affected by this tragic event.

“We are assisting the police in their investigations.”

Speaking at the scene, Inspector Paul Hammond said the incident was reported to police at 9.16am.

He said: “This part of The Shambles will remain closed to traffic while the crash investigation team carried out its work of examining the evidence.

“Obviously we want to have the road open as soon as possible so that people can go about their business, but it may take a couple of hours.

“We are now working to identify the victim and inform the next of kin, after which we will be able to release details about her identity.”

West Midlands Ambulance Service said it quickly became apparent on their arrival that nothing could be done to save her life.

Police are appealing for any witnesses to call 101 quoting reference number 133 of 29th September.