Kidderminster grandmother dies of injuries after horrific crash in Italy

Brigida Saporito was travelling from a confirmation ceremony in southern Italy when a broken road barrier crashed through the front of the car she was in, causing her to suffer severe head injuries.

The 58-year-old, who owned Lorne House care home in Kidderminster, was rushed to hospital in Potenza – but never woke up and died on June 18 with her husband Gerardo by her side.

Her only child Francesco, aged 31, had returned home to Kidderminster after believing her health was improving, but then missed being by her side as she died despite rushing back to Italy.

Today, Francesco, a contract manager for Southern Electric, said the family had been left devastated by his mother's death after thinking she would pull through.

Speaking at his home in Lorne Street, where his parents also lived, he said: "It was a horrible crash, but we always expected her to recover, she was such a strong person who never gave up.

"News she had died was awful for everyone who knew her."

Mrs Saporito moved to Kidderminster with her parents in 1967.

She met her husband Gerardo after they lived on the same street in the town.

After working at several carpet factories in the town, she set up Lorne House with her husband 30 years ago.

The home looks after adults with learning disabilities.

Francesco, who has two children, said: "She was a really caring and thoughtful person – since her death we have not stopped being visited by people who knew her.

"Mum was an amazing woman, had the biggest heart, always put others before herself and devoted her life to her grandchildren," he said.

Mrs Saporito was a passenger in the rear of the vehicle when the road barrier crashed through the front window.

She was with her husband and three other people travelling from Muro Lucano to Melfi, where they were staying.

An inquest has been opened and adjourned. The funeral will be held at St Ambrose Church in Birmingham Road on Monday.