An inquest heard that a police officer whose vehicle was involved in a collision which claimed the life of a West Cumbria grandmother is under suspicion of causing her death by dangerous driving.
Sharron Hall, 64, was driving a Suzuki Celerio on Cleator Moor Road in Hensingham, Whitehaven, at around 7.50am on Sunday January 19 when the incident, which also involved a Peugeot 308 patrol car, happened.
That police vehicle, driven by a male officer aged in his 20s, was one of three responding to a separate emergency incident at the time.
Ms Hall was airlifted to Glasgow’s Queen Elizabeth University Hospital, where she died the following day — a week before her 65th birthday. Her dog also died following the collision.
An inquest into Ms Hall’s death was opened at Cockermouth Coroners’ Court this morning.
Assistant coroner for Cumbria, Margaret Taylor told the hearing: “The first police vehicle passed Ms Hall’s vehicle near to the swimming pool on Cleator Moor Road and the second police vehicle crashed into Ms Hall’s vehicle. The third police vehicle arrives at the crash site within seconds.
“At this stage — and I do emphasis only at this stage — it appears that the police vehicle moved to the other side of the road and the driver is now under suspicion of causing death by dangerous driving.
“The police officer was taken to hospital with some minor injuries. This matter has been referred to the Independent Office of Police Conduct.”
The cause of Ms Hall’s death, offered to the coroner, was multiple injuries and a road traffic collision.
“Given that there is an enquiry into the actions of the police, and in particular the police officer involved in the collision, this inquest, though open today, will be suspended,” concluded Ms Taylor. “So it is not possible at this stage to say whether or not the inquest will be resumed; and if it is resumed, when that inquest will take place.”
A Cumbria police spokesman said in the aftermath of the tragedy that circumstances surrounding the collision were being fully investigated.
The incident was immediately referred to the IOPC, which is normal practice.
IOPC investigators had since gathered initial accounts from officers involved and are reviewing police vehicle dashcam footage along with body worn video.
“Following initial assessments by IOPC investigators, an officer has been informed they will be subject of a criminal investigation. They have also been advised they are under investigation for potential gross misconduct,” an IOPC spokesman said on January 24. “The officer being informed of these allegations, does not necessarily mean any proceedings will follow, that will depend on the evidence established from the investigation.”
An IOPC spokesman confirmed this morning there was no further update, and that enquiries were continuing.
In a statement, relatives of Ms Hall described her as a “special, caring woman who would give her help willingly to anyone who asked for it”.
Ms Hall had worked at Howgill Family Centre in Cleator Moor for more than 20 years, which she loved, her family said.
“She was a keen animal lover and you very rarely saw her without her little dog Jack, who also sadly passed away in the collision,” they added.
“She had a full and joyful life which was full of love and she will be sorely missed by her family and friends, especially by her four children, Andrew, Samantha, Mark and Tracy.”
