A town was in mourning today for a two-year-old girl who died when a car driven by an elderly woman ploughed into pedestrians on a pavement.

Megan Raybold, of Ryndle Walk, Scarborough, suffered serious injuries and in spite of attempts by paramedics to revive her, she died on the way to hospital.

An inquest was being opened in Malton this afternoon.

The girl's mother and grandmother, who were with her at the time, were taken to Scarborough District Hospital with minor injuries. The accident happened near the Pickwick Inn, in Falconers Road, Scarborough, at the junction with St Nicholas Cliff and Huntriss Row.

Horrified onlookers watched as a blue BMW 320 mounted the pavement hitting the pedestrians and overturning - the vehicle demolished a road sign and ended up on its roof with one of the occupants hanging out of a window.

The driver, 80-year-old Joan Howard, of South Cliff, Scarborough, suffered minor injuries, while her passenger was also injured in the accident.

Both were taken to Scarborough District Hospital.

The road was closed for several hours after the crash, which happened at 1pm yesterday, while police investigated the incident and cleared the wreckage.

Sam Boothby, whose family own Boothby's Garage, only yards from the scene, was working on the forecourt at the time.

She said: "I heard an almighty bang and crash, so I knew what had happened, but I didn't think it would be as bad as it was. I took one look and ran to dial 999.

Sam said she had never known any serious accidents along Falconer Street before. She said: "It is dangerous further up where the buses queue, but along here it is normally fine. It has been a real shock to everyone."

Police today appealed to a man or woman who shortly before the accident went to the assistance of the BMW driver as she manoeuvred out of a parking space on St Nicholas Cliff. They, and other witnesses, should contact PC Richard Hammond on 01723 500300.

* A woman was injured when she was knocked down by a car in Pickering - which then drove off without stopping.

The woman, from Settrington, was hit by a silver Ford Fiesta at 2.30pm on Monday. It reversed into her on Market Place and knocked her to the ground, giving her a bruised knee and grazes to her hand. Police say the driver knew there had been a collision, as he spoke to the woman before driving off. Malton police can be contacted on 01653 692424.

Updated: 12:30 Wednesday, February 14, 2001