Fatal crash woman still not identified

A 26-year-old man from Lytham was yesterday being quizzed by police after failing to stop at the scene of the collision, on Preston New Road, at Clifton.

He has now been bailed until May 29.

Officers are still puzzled by the events leading up to the fatal crash, which took place at around 10.50pm on Tuesday.

Last night she was named on social media but has not been formally identified by police. She is believed to be 20-years-old.

Sgt Sean Cunningham, of the Road Policing Unit, said: “This is a tragic incident where a young woman has sadly passed away after what appears to be some kind of collision.

“We are still trying to determine exactly what has happened and how the woman has come to be injured.

“At this moment, the woman’s identity is still to be found and so we are asking anyone who may recognise her description to come forward.”

Last night the name of the woman thought to have been involved was published on social media sites, but police could not confirm if the reports were correct. She is believed to be a student living in Preston.

The woman was found with serious injuries following the collision, close to the Clifton Business Park, and taken to Royal Preston Hospital where she died a short time later.

Police are now working to track down her next of kin.

She is described as white, around 5ft 10ins tall and of slim build. She had long dark hair down to the middle of her back that appears to have feathers woven into it.

She was wearing black Nike trainers, jeans and a grey hooded top.

Martin Morris, who works at the nearby Signature Auto Care, said: “We saw the sign saying there was an accident but we didn’t know anything about it.

“This place is locked up from 5.30pm so there was nobody around.

“You do get the odd accident but I’ve not seen one in the eight months I’ve been here. What happened here was tragic.”

Coun Peter Collins, who represents Newton and Treales on Fylde Council, said: “This is a tragic incident. There is a lot of traffic in the area and it is becoming increasingly congested on that road. There have been a number of accidents over the years.”

A sign appealing for witnesses was placed on a bus stop close to Clifton Business Park, on the section of road heading towards Freckleton.

However, police were unable to confirm last night exactly where the collision took place.