Woman died from head injuries after police chase - inquest

A woman who died after a police car chase suffered head injuries, an inquest heard.

Lydia La Polla, 47, of Saxon Street, Wrexham was a front seat passenger in her husband's car when it was hit by a Mercedes on 24 March.

The crash happened between Belgrave Road and Percy Road in Hightown, and it later emerged that the Mercedes had been pursued by a police car.

Five people were arrested in connection with the incident.

Ms La Polla died at the Royal Stoke University Hospital two days after the crash.

Pathologist Dr Brian Rodgers gave the provisional cause of death as a severe blunt force head injury as a result of a road traffic collision, the inquest in Ruthin was told.

Her husband was also taken to hospital in Stoke with "life-changing injuries".

The Independent Office for Police Conduct has launched an investigation.

Police investigations are continuing and if criminal proceedings follow, a full inquest may not be held.

The two male occupants of the Mercedes fled but a 22-year-old man was later arrested on suspicion of causing death by dangerous driving.

Three other people, a 20-year-old woman and two men aged 37 and 50, were later arrested on suspicion of assisting an offender.

In a tribute following Ms La Polla's death her family said she "had a heart of gold" and was devoted to her family and friends.