Barbara Lazzini

TRIBUTES have been paid to a “kind, ­generous, loving” woman killed in a fatal collision on Monday.

Barbara Lazzini, who lived on the New Orleans estate, died after being hit by a lorry in Hornsey Rise.

Her long-term friend and partner Paul Maughan told the Tribune yesterday (Thursday) that she was “the most beautiful person”.

“She was my life. She didn’t deserve what happened to her,” he added.

The pair first met in a hostel 25 years ago, after Ms Lazzini had come to the UK from her hometown of Marina di Massa in Tuscany, Italy.

“Originally we were girlfriend and boyfriend. But we stopped being girlfriend and boyfriend and became something much more than that. We belonged to each other,” Mr Maughan said.

He described how Ms Lazzini had worked in various jobs including hospitality, childcare, dog-walking and cleaning. Later, however, Ms Lazzini faced some challenges when her benefits were changed and she found it increasingly difficult to access money or help due to the language barrier.

“She was tough and she survived, she was surviving,” said her partner.

The scene of the collision 

Indeed, in spite of the challenges, Mr Maughan said that the pair had spent a memorable holiday in Dorset during the summer where they had looked for fossils and explored the Roman roads.

“It was the first time Barbara had been out of London for decades. We intended to go back there, I got a tent and camping gear,” he said.

Ms Lazzini was well-known to neighbours in the area who often saw her walking up and down Hornsey Rise.

“I’ve had so many people coming up to me that I don’t even know, told me that they’re thinking about her, and that they knew that me and her were connected in some way,” said Mr Maughan.

Neighbour Crystal – who did not wish to share her last name – added: “It’s sad because she’s one of these people who society forgot about. I was really shocked when I heard she had been run over. She never caused any problems. Life plays you a hand you can’t control and under all that she never stole or did anything bad.”

Footage seen by the Tribune showed a London Air Ambulance helicopter landing on the football pitch in Elthorne Park, shortly after the collision at 11.30am.

Traffic came to a standstill and, when the Tribune arrived on the scene at around 2pm, bus drivers remained stranded behind the police cordon.

A spokesperson for the Metropolitan Police said: “At 11.33 hours on Monday, November 17 officers, the London Ambulance Service, London’s Air Ambulance and the London Fire Brigade responded to reports of a road traffic collision between a lorry and pedestrian on Hornsey Rise, Islington.

“Paramedics treated the pedestrian – a woman in her 50s – at the scene. Despite their best efforts, sadly the woman died a short time later. Her next-of-kin have been informed and are being supported by specialist officers.”

There were no other reported injuries. At this stage no arrests have been made. Enquiries are ongoing.