Inquests have been formally opened into the deaths of two pedestrians following a late night collision involving a car on the A596 in West Cumbria.
A passer-by called police just after midnight on May 15 this year, to report that two people — Bethanie Clark, 31, and David Muir, 43 — were lying in the road on the A596 at Station Road in Flimby.
Opening inquests into their deaths this morning, Margaret Taylor, an assistant Cumbria coroner, said: “Police attended and found David and Bethanie. David showed no signs of life. Bethanie had medical intervention but was pronounced dead at the scene.”
Outlining brief circumstances that had been supplied to the coroner’s court, Ms Taylor also said: “Both are believed to have been hit by a vehicle. A vehicle was found located at the scene with extensive damage.”
The car involved was a Nissan Qashqai. Police said in the aftermath that a 30-year-old woman had been arrested on suspicion of two counts of dangerous driving.
She was bailed and, a police spokesman confirmed this morning, has since been released under investigation.
Ms Taylor concluded that in all the circumstances it was necessary to formally open inquests into the deaths of Bethanie and David.
The pair lived at separate addresses in Parton, Whitehaven.
“The matter will have to be suspended given that somebody has been arrested in relation to this death,” said Ms Taylor. “Further enquiries will be made and the matter will be adjourned until October 25.”
In the wake of the tragedy, families of Bethanie and David issued separate tributes.
Police have also issued public appeals for anyone with information to dial 101 or make a report online.
In a statement released on May 24, a spokesman had said: “Officers have been conducting CCTV enquiries and are looking to identify four vehicles that were in the area of the collision, just beforehand, and are keen to speak to anyone who was driving from Flimby towards the 40mph zone heading towards Workington before midnight on May 14 and into May 15.
“Officers are also keen to speak to a female driver who stopped her vehicle and told another witness to call the police before continuing on her journey.”
