Much Loved Hornchurch Grandmother Dies After Being Seriously Injured in Horrific Hit-and-Run in Turkey

A much loved Hornchurch grandmother, Lisa Di Palma, 61, has died a week after being left seriously injured by an allegedly drunk driver while on holiday in Turkey.

Lisa Di Palma, who has run the Tigers Junior Football Club alongside her husband Keith for 27 years, was on the final week of a break in the port city of Fethiye when the shocking incident occurred on Tuesday 6 August.

Local media reports say Lisa was using a pedestrian crossing on Cahit Beğenç Boulevard in the Foça neighbourhood when she was hit by a car. The driver then allegedly attempted to flee the scene — running over her again as she lay injured in the road.

Horrified onlookers rushed to help, with three men pushing the vehicle off Lisa and confronting the driver. Police later took a suspect into custody, with witnesses claiming he attempted to run away before being apprehended.

Lisa suffered multiple injuries and was in hospital in Turkey receiving treatment. Posting on social media, before her death, he wrote: “I’m a broken man, but I will stay strong for my family and my beautiful loving wife.”

The Tigers Junior Football Club, based in Rainham do a fantastic job coaching children locally. Both Lisa and Keith have been actively involved in the club for many years, supporting the local community through sport. The couple are very well respected and loved for all their voluntary work in the community.

Our thoughts go out to Keith, and Lisa’s family during this truly horrendous time.

RIP Lisa you are much loved by your community.

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