Mother-of-five from Dudley killed in hit-and-run collision
A mother-of-five from Dudley and her partner have died after a hit-and-run collision hours before their first family Christmas in years.
Paula Jolly, aged 37, who was visiting relatives in Manchester, died at the scene of the crash.
Her partner Michael Ward, 45, died in hospital a day later on Christmas Eve.
Four people were arrested following the crash and held in police custody.
Ms Jolly had been reunited with her family five months ago when she returned to Manchester and was planning to spend Christmas with her loved ones for the first time in years.
Her devastated mother Sylvia Duddle, 61, paid tribute to her, saying: "We were in contact again, it was like a fresh start.
"She was supposed to be coming to one of my other daughters' houses and stay for Christmas. I'm absolutely devastated. I feel broken - like my heart has been ripped out.
"When we got back in touch it was a new start. Everybody was in contact again in the family. We were all looking forward to spending Christmas together."
Ms Jolly also leaves behind five sisters, four brothers and a step-brother.
Mr Ward, from Broughton, Salford, who died at Manchester Royal Infirmary, had 10 children, including his 24-year-old son Mike Ward, who was a finalist on last year's series of BBC 1's The Voice.
Police have appealed for witnesses to the crash which happened outside an Asda superstore in Hulme at about 10.15pm on Tuesday.
Two men aged 20 and 59 and two women aged 19 and 47 were later arrested on suspicion of causing death by dangerous driving and taken into police custody for questioning.
Pc Paul Joynson, from Greater Manchester Police's serious collision investigation unit, said: "Our thoughts and sympathies are with the families at this tragic time and we have specially-trained officers supporting them.
"We are fully investigating the circumstances leading up to this collision and are appealing for anyone with any information to call us."
