A DISTRAUGHT cabbie from Bradford has told how he fought in vain to save the life of a woman who died after a hit-and-run incident.

The 28-year-old pedestrian, described by friends as a "beautiful young woman," died in hospital after a collision involving a Toyota Corolla, which left the scene.

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Mohammed Ilyas, who lives in Heaton but works for a private hire firm in Leeds, was returning from a fare when he saw the woman, named locally as Vicky, lying in the A58 Whitehall Road in Wyke.

Police said the woman, from the Cleckheaton area, had been involved in a collision with a car while crossing the road at its junction with Westfield Lane at about 2.30am on Saturday.

Mr Ilyas, who saw the woman lying in the road outside Harry's Carvery, said: "I parked up my car to block the traffic, and got out to help."

"The landlady of the pub was already outside on the phone to the ambulance.

"The woman was unconscious, but I checked her pulse and she was breathing slightly.

"I got my first-aid kit out of the taxi as I thought I might need the bandages to stop the bleeding from her head, but I turned her head and managed to stop it.

"I rang the ambulance back and said I need you to get here quick, as I'm afraid I'm going to lose her if you don't hurry up."

Mr Ilyas said another taxi driver then pulled up, with the pair helping performing CPR on the victim before paramedics arrived and took over.

"When she left in the ambulance they seemed to have got her breathing again," he said.

"The whole thing probably only lasted about ten or 15 minutes, but it seemed like forever.

"It is painful news to hear she has died, I am distraught."

Yesterday afternoon, a bunch of flowers tied to railings at the pedestrian crossing bore the simple message: "Vicky, Gone Too Soon, XXX."

A friend, who contacted the Telegraph & Argus to pay tribute, said: "She was a great young beautiful women and she will be forever missed and in our hearts. Love from your mates Elaine Moran, Francesca Moran and Wayne Carter."

Councillor John Lawson (Lib Dem, Cleckheaton), described it as a "very tragic incident."

"It is shocking, just tragic", he said.

The woman was taken to Leeds General Infirmary with injuries described at the time as "life-threatening", but died on Saturday afternoon.

A 43 year-old man from Dewsbury was later arrested on suspicion of causing death by careless driving and was released on bail yesterday morning.

PC Martin Ward said: "The incident occurred around 2.30am when a Toyota Corolla, which was travelling in the direction of Halifax, struck the pedestrian as she crossed the road close to the junction with Westfield Lane.

"The driver of the vehicle then left the scene.

Police are appealing for witnesses or anyone with information to contact the Major Collision Enquiry Team on 101, quoting log number 203 from May 16.