A mum-of-three who has been killed after being hit by an unmarked police car two days before Christmas has been remembered as "the most wonderful mother" by her heartbroken family.
Heather Smedley, 53, died earlier today after she was hit by a police car chasing a seperate vehicle suspected of being stolen in Greater Manchester.
Greater Manchester Police say the horror smash happened shortly after 10am, following a "short pursuit" of a separate suspect vehicle.
The Independent Office for Police Conduct confirmed an unmarked police car and a "car driven by a member of the public" crashed and Heather suffered "serious injuries...and died in hospital later this morning".
The crash has been reported to the force's Professional Standards Branch and the IOPC, who confirmed Heather was not in the vehicle police were pursuing.
Heather's family described her as a "kind, gentle, beautiful soul" with a "contagious laugh".
Heather's family said in a statement released by Greater Manchester Police: “To the most wonderful mother to Benjamin, Olivia and Jamie, daughter to Hilda and Fred, sister, friend, and wife to Damian.
“The world was a much better place with you in it. Our mum was the most kind, gentle, beautiful soul inside and out. She faced all of life’s challenges with her beautiful smile, and her bravery and courage never wavered.
“We could not have asked for a better role model growing up, giving everything she had to all of those she loved, and always supporting those around her.
“She was the glue that held our family together. Her resilience and kindness inspired us all to be better. She had the greatest sense of humour and contagious laugh that we will miss every single day.
“You were too good for this world Mum, there will be a hole in our hearts forever."
The fatal smash has been reported to the force's Professional Standards Branch and the Independent Office for Police Conduct.
It is understood Heather was in her car at the time of the collision. The mum-of-three was rushed to the hospital but sadly died despite the best efforts of the medical staff.
A spokersperson from Greater Manchester Police said: "At around 10am today (Friday, December 23, 2022), officers pursued a suspected stolen vehicle and engaged in short pursuit as a result.
"A short time later a road traffic collision occurred involving a police vehicle and a woman, aged 53, was taken to hospital for treatment to serious injuries, but sadly died a short time later despite the best attempts of emergency service personnel."
Chris Bowen, Chief Superintendent of GMP’s Oldham district said: “Our sincere thoughts and condolences go to the family and friends of the woman that has sadly passed.
“We understand that the public are concerned by incidents of this nature. In-line with normal procedure, referrals have been made to GMP’s Professional Standards Branch and the Independent Office for Police Conduct.
“Investigations like this often result in road closures which can cause significant disruption and we thank the local community and road users for their patience.”
An IOPC spokesman said: “We can confirm we are independently investigating police actions prior to a fatal road traffic collision in Oldham this morning (Friday). The collision between an unmarked police vehicle and a car driven by a member of the public took place soon after 10am today.
"Sadly, a 53-year-old woman driving the member of public car sustained serious injuries in the collision and died in hospital later this morning. We understand that the police car had been pursuing a separate, suspected stolen vehicle prior to the collision.
"After being notified by Greater Manchester Police we deployed investigators to the scene and to the police post incident procedure to begin our enquiries. Initial accounts from police officers involved are being obtained.
"Our thoughts are with the woman’s family and friends at this awful time and all those affected by this tragic incident. Our investigation will examine the circumstances leading up to the collision and whether police actions were in accordance with policies and procedures.”
Anyone with information or dashcam footage should contact GMP quoting incident log 969 of 23/12/2022.
Information can be reported online or by using the LiveChat function at www.gmp.police.uk. If you can't report online, call 101 or Crimestoppers anonymously on 0800 555 111.
