A woman hit and killed by a police car on Christmas Eve was a carer walking home from work, an inquest heard.
Rachael Louise Moore, 22, was hit by the marked police car on Sheil Road in Kensington, Merseyside, at around 8.10pm on Christmas Eve.
Emergency crews were called to the scene and the police driver attempted CPR, but she tragically died from her injuries.
An inquest was opened into the 22-year-old's death at the Gerard Majella Courthouse on Wednesday afternoon. Coroner Andre Rebello said Rachael, who was born in Derby on October 24, 2000, was on her way home from work as a care worker.
After complaining of a headache, the 22-year-old was crossing Sheil Road when she was struck by a police car that was responding to an emergency. Coroner Rebello said: "The circumstances I was told on the 24 December shortly before 8pm, Rachael left her place of work after complaining of a headache. She went home walking as is usual. She would have taken the Prescot Road turning into Sheil Road.
"While crossing she was struck by a motor vehicle, this was a Merseyside Police vehicle, and it's understood the driver was responding to a grade one emergency with blue lights and sirens."
The hearing heard how the driver of the police vehicle began CPR and an ambulance was called, but Rachael was pronounced dead at the scene at around 8.23pm.
![](https://i2-prod.mirror.co.uk/incoming/article28877211.ece/ALTERNATES/s810/0_LIV_Sheil-Road-01.jpg)
Adjourning the inquest, attended by the media, Mr Rebello passed his condolences to the family as he added this was an "ongoing investigation".
The inquest has been adjourned until April 25 at 2pm, reports the Liverpool Echo, when a review will be held. Mr Rebello added he was waiting for toxicology and post mortem results as well as reports from the IOPC (Independent Office for Police Conduct) and the roads policing unit which will "take time".
Rachael's family previously paid tribute to their "cherished daughter" who will be "greatly missed by all those lives she touched". In a heartbreaking tribute, the family said: "Rachael Louise Moore aged 22, cherished daughter of Alison and Ian, sister to Ben and much-loved granddaughter of Nana Sue. Partner to Jack and caring friend to many. She will be greatly missed by all those whose lives she touched."
In a statement released on Tuesday, Ms Moore's family said: "We are fully supportive of the IOPC investigation and would please ask any witnesses to come forward to assist the IOPC with their inquiries into what happened to our daughter."
![](https://i2-prod.mirror.co.uk/incoming/article28877214.ece/ALTERNATES/s810/1_LIV_Sheil-Road-02.jpg)
Liverpool Hope University has recently paid tribute to their former-student who studied Philosophy, Ethics and Religion at the university, graduating last summer. They announced a memorial service will be held for the 22-year-old in the coming weeks.
Hope University's Interim Vice-Chancellor, Dr Penny Haughan, said: "Everyone at Liverpool Hope University is deeply saddened by the news of Rachael’s death. She was a committed, diligent student with a bright future, who will be remembered for both her kindness and passion for social justice by the staff and students who knew her."
The Independent Office for Police Conduct (IOPC) has launched an investigation into the former student's death and confirmed it was in contact with Ms Moore's family to explain its role in the investigation. Mandatory referrals are made to the IOPC should a person die or sustain serious injuries following police contact.
![](https://i2-prod.mirror.co.uk/incoming/article28877217.ece/ALTERNATES/s810/1_JS286911793.jpg)
IOPC regional director Catherine Bates said: "Our thoughts are with Ms Moore's family and friends, and all those affected by this tragic incident on Christmas Eve.
We have contacted her family to explain our role and we will keep them updated as our inquiries progress. The information we have gathered so far indicates the officer was responding to an emergency call at the time and travelling down Sheil Road in the Kensington area.
"We ask anybody who witnessed the incident, or who was driving in the vicinity of the area at the time, especially if they have dashcam footage, to contact us. It is important in situations like this that there is a thorough and independent investigation to understand the circumstances. Coming forward to assist us will help us to provide Rachael's family with the answers they need."