Woman dies in airport coach collision (From Redhill And Reigate Life)

Woman dies in airport coach collision

12:51pm Monday 7th September 2009

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A woman died instantly when her car was crushed by a coach in a collision at Gatwick Airport.

Melanie Wisden, 34, from Cardiff, was driving a Ford Ka when the accident happened outside the airport's North Terminal last Friday, just after 1.30pm.

The National Express coach ended up on top of the Ford at the North Terminal roundabout in Airport Way.

Emergency teams and the Sussex Air Ambulance went to the scene.

The coach driver suffered shock and was taken to hospital along with a passenger who sustained a wrist injury.

The coach was carrying about 40 passengers, who were bussed from the scene to the airport where officers took accounts from them, before they were allowed to continue their journeys.

The accident caused severe tailbacks stretching beyond the M25 and people reported seeing some flight-bound passengers walking with suitcases along the M23 and A23 to the terminal.

Inspector Keith Ellis from Sussex Police's road policing unit said: “We appreciate the frustration of road travellers caught up with this incident but the circumstances are very unusual in that the collision happened on a very busy roundabout, and also, that it involved a coach that ended up on top of the car.

“However, we must not lose sight of the fact that, sadly, a woman died, and it is essential that her death is fully investigated to meet the needs of the coroner and any subsequent court case that may arise.”

He said: “The investigative work cannot begin until the needs of those involved in the collision are attended to, and in this case, the recovery work that followed the investigation was particularly complex.

“Repairs were also needed to the road and crash barrier.”

Police are appealing for witnesses to call them on 0845 6070 999, quoting Operation Tilstone.

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