An inquest has been formally opened into the death of a South Cumbria woman following a car crash.
Police launched an appeal for anyone with information to contact them in the aftermath of a two-vehicle collision on the A6070, close to Burton-in-Kendal, at around 10.30am on December 17.
It involved a Skoda Roomster and a Mercedes Sprinter van.
Emergency services attended the scene and 41-year-old Skoda passenger Helen Wolfendale, of Holme, was airlifted to the Royal Preston Hospital. She died six days later, on December 23.
The driver of the Skoda, her 43-year-old husband, was also flown to Preston hospital after the collision and was said at the time by police to have been in a critical condition. A Cumbria police spokesman confirmed today he is no longer in a critical condition but remains in hospital.
Two children under the age of 10 in the car had suffered minor injuries.
An inquest into the death of IT technician Mrs Wolfendale was opened at Cockermouth this morning by Margaret Taylor, an assistant coroner for Cumbria.
“The brief circumstances of this case are that Helen had been the front seat passenger, with her husband and two children, travelling southbound on the A6070 away from Burton in Kendal, Cumbria,” the assistant coroner noted.
“The vehicle they were driving in had lost control and struck another vehicle travelling in the opposite direction.
“The point of impact on the vehicle was the nearside front passenger door where Helen had been seated. Emergency services attended the scene and Helen was airlifted to the Royal Preston Hospital where she received treatment for serious internal injuries. She very sadly passed away six days later.”
“Given the circumstances of Mrs Wolfendale’s death it will be necessary for there to be an inquest.”
Ms Taylor adjourned the hearing pending further enquiries to a provisional resumption date of June 20.
