Maria Rubalcava de Ruesga, 69, was tragically killed by a bin lorry as she crossed a road near a primary school, with the cancer survivor’s death leaving her family ‘in complete shock’
A grandmother who had triumphed over pancreatic cancer was tragically killed by a bin lorry, in full view of horrified schoolchildren. Maria Rubalcava de Ruesga, 69, was crossing West Bishop Street in Santa Ana, California, when she was hit by the refuse vehicle just after 7am on Wednesday.
The heartbreaking incident was witnessed by children and families at the nearby Pio Pico Elementary School, leading the Santa Ana Unified School District to deploy a crisis team to provide support for them and the school staff.
Police received numerous calls about the accident and rushed to the scene with the Orange County Fire Authority. They found that the truck had struck Ms de Ruesga at a roundabout as she was attempting to cross the road.
The bin lorry driver remained at the scene and cooperated fully with investigators. Police confirmed that Ms de Ruesga was pronounced dead at the scene.
Having survived pancreatic cancer and been in remission for a year, her sudden death came as a shock, according to a GoFundMe campaign set up to assist with funeral costs, as reported by Express US.
“After battling pancreatic cancer and finally being in remission for a year, she was just beginning to feel like herself again,” read the campaign description. “Losing her so suddenly has left us in complete shock. She leaves behind a heavy void in our hearts that can never be filled.”
By Sunday evening, the fundraising campaign had amassed over $7,100. “For those who knew her, you know how loving, caring, and strong she was… Losing her so suddenly has left us in complete shock,” read the campaign page.
“She leaves behind a heavy void in our hearts that can never be filled. We are raising funds to help cover her funeral expenses and to give her the beautiful, dignified farewell she deserves. Any support, whether through donations or by sharing this page, means the world to our family during this devastating time,” the GoFundMe campaign stated.
“Thank you for your love, prayers, and support.”
It comes after a homeless man was fatally crushed when he was tipped into the back of a refuse lorry whilst sleeping inside a bin. Sajmir Beca, 30, sustained devastating injuries after the nightmare incident occurred in Northampton town centre during the early hours of October 31.
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