Tributes to ‘amazing’ mum-of-two killed after being hit by car waiting to pick her kids from school

Rita Magni, 30, died at the scene when she was hit by a car that careered off the road at the junction of Phillimore Road.

The mum-of-two was waiting at a bus stop to pick up her children from nearby Phillimore Community Primary School when the incident occurred just before 3pm on Monday.

“I still can’t believe what has happened and my heart aches for her little boys,” said her friend, Fahad Rustom, 25.

He added: “I only saw her last week happily walking her children to school. We spoke for a while and my wife also invited her to our house for dinner which was supposed to be next week.”

Fahad, who worked with Rita at the Subway in Sheffield City Centre praised Rita’s kindness.

He said: “It was not hard to love the kind hearted and amazing sense of humour this young lady had to offer. She was extremely hard working and always went out her way to put a smile on everyone’s face.”

“I send my condolence to the family with all my love and support at the time needed the most. Rest in peace Rita. In’sha’Allah (If Allah wills it) we meet again in Jannah (Heaven),” added Fahad.

Another of Rita’s friends, Miriam Azwz, said she will be sorely missed.

Miriam said: “She was a really good mum. She did everything for her sons.

“She was just getting into the prime of her life. She was beautiful. Everyone knew her for her kindness and her smile.”

Rita and Miriam “used to do everything together” but lost contact after the two fell out and Miriam moved away, according to the grieving friend.

Miriam wishes the pair could have had the chance to reconcile but she said she had no way to get in touch.

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She said: “If I had the chance to speak to her the first words that would come out of my mouth would be ‘I miss you’.

“I feel so blessed to have known her. I feel so honoured that she was my friend.”

Mohammed Mohd also said Rita will be missed by many, since she made friends everywhere she went.

He befriended Rita after meeting her at work and then catching the same bus.

He said: “You couldn’t meet a nicer person than her.

“It’s a terrible tragedy for her and the kids left behind.”

It is reported that Rita died after a black Renault Clio and a grey Vauxhall Astra crashed at the junction of Chapelwood Road and Phillimore Road.

The Renault Clio then left the carriageway and hit Rita as she stood at a bus stop.

Emergency services attended, but despite the best efforts of paramedics, Rita was sadly pronounced dead at the scene. Her family is being supported by specially trained officers.

Two men, both aged 21, were arrested on suspicion of causing death by dangerous driving. They have both been released under investigation.

The Roads Policing Team is now appealing for information and any dash cam footage that could help with the investigation.

Information can be reported via 111, through a new online portal, or footage can be emailed to [email protected]. The incident number to quote is 486 of 4 October.