Partner of Hartlepool grandmother who died after 'altercation' on Stagecoach bus says the family has been left shattered

Police have launched a manslaughter investigation after the death on Tuesday of former cake factory worker and carer Ally Evans aged 60.

An altercation with another woman is said to have taken place on a Number 7 Stagecoach bus that Ms Evans was on.

She became unwell after getting off in York Road, and staff from Coral bookmakers tried to help her and took her inside.

Staff gave her a drink of water but her condition suddenly deteriorated and an ambulance was called.

But she could bot be saved and sadly died at around 10.45am.

Her partner of 16 years, Shaun Mathieson, 69, who had been waiting to meet her in the central library, said her death has "shattered" her two daughters and six grandchildren.

He said: “It's still a struggle to take in that Ally has gone, she was such a kind-hearted, bubbly, decent person and she lived for her family and her friends.

"To lose her in this way has been a terrible thing for all of us to go through and we're waiting for more information on exactly what happened to her.”

Ms Evans had boarded her usual bus into town but told Mr Mathieson via text message that she had met a woman and her adult daughter, who were known to her, and an argument had broken out.

Police say that an assault then occurred on the bus whilst passengers tried to intervene.

Mr Mathieson said he rang her while waiting at the library to see where she was but got no answer.

He added: “She then texted to say she was on the bus and there was someone on there who she'd got into an argument with, someone who was with her adult daughter.

“I tried ringing again and again I got no answer. The next thing a man I know came running into the library looking for me and told me that Ally was really ill in Coral's.

“I ran with him to Coral's and said I was Ally's partner but the police and ambulance service were already with her. I waited outside for four or five hours to see her.”

A 26-year-old woman was arrested on suspicion of manslaughter on Tuesday and has been released on conditional bail while enquiries continue.

Mr Mathieson said the family are grateful to passengers who tried to intervene to help Ally.

He added: “She was such a loving and good person. She cared very much about her family and told me she was pleased she had got all her Christmas shopping done for them already.

“That was her all over, she thought about other people before herself. It's very hard to accept that she has gone, we're shattered by it."

He said Ally's death had been felt throughout Hartlepool adding: “She was very popular and very well known, whenever we were walking through town she'd be stopping constantly to chat and say hello.

“She was a very well loved person.”

Police have appealed for anyone with information about the incident on the bus to contact them.