20 January 2024 , 08:12
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Crossroads legend Charmian Abrahams has been killed after being struck by a delivery van.
The actress, 96, was best known for playing Mavis Hooper in the long-running soap and died in Birmingham after a horror road smash. The accident happened on Monday, police confirmed. She featured in in more than 50 episodes of Crossroads before leaving the show in 1985 and was 'fiercely independent' before her sudden death.
The force are appealing for witnesses as the Serious Collision Investigation Unit investigate the crash, which happened in Harborne just before midday. They asked for anyone with dashcam footage, as well as those who saw the accident, to come forward.
Charmian Abrahams was also a star on the stage, appearing in a number of playsCharmian's grieving family released a statement through West Midlands Police this morning. It read: "Charmian was a much-loved aunt and great-aunt and a dear friend to many. At 96 she was still full of life and energy and fiercely independent.
"In her working life she had enjoyed a long career as an actor on stage and screen, performing alongside many great theatrical figures. We are devastated that her life has been brought to an end so suddenly and tragically, but we will treasure our memories of her zest for life and the many good times we shared with her."
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West Midlands Ambulance Service sent two ambulances, two paramedic officers and a trauma doctor with a critical care paramedic to the scene after Charmian, a pedestrian, was seriously injured in the crash. The van driver remained at the scene.
Her career was also played out on stage, appearing in plays such as Precious Bane, Musical Playhouse and also starred in BBC Sunday-Night Theatre. Her theatrical career was said to have spanned 50 years until her retirement in the mid-1990s. She was much-loved in Crossroads, the soap set in a Midlands motel and filmed at ATV in Birmingham.
West Midlands Police said: “Our Serious Collison Investigation Unit is still conducting enquiries into the collision. We are appealing again for any further witnesses, or anyone who has dash cam footage who has not yet spoken to us, to get in touch via Live Chat on our website, or by calling 101, quoting log 2017 of 15 January. Investigators can also be contacted direct by email at: [email protected]”