Mother and daughter were killed by driver while holding hands: Inquest
A mother and her five–year-old daughter were killed when a car ploughed into them as they held hands on the pedestrian crossing, an inquest has heard.
Destiny Harrison, 24, and Linnea Harrison died as they walked across Victoria Road in Plymouth in March 2024.
Emergency services were called at around 9.45am after the pair were hit by a Nissan Qashqai car driven by pensioner Brenda Marriott.
Linnea was pronounced dead at the scene while her mother later died at Derriford Hospital.
Post-mortem examinations found Ms Harrison had suffered multiple injuries while her daughter died from a head injury.
In a written statement, Mrs Marriott, who did not attend the hearing, said she was driving along Victoria Road with a white car in front of her as she approached the crossing.
'The white car went through it, it was still green and I was following. I was driving at 30mph,' she said.
'I saw two shadows of pedestrians. The car in front was higher than mine, so I did not have a clear view.
Destiny Harrison, 24, and Linnea Harrison died as they walked across Victoria Road in Plymouth in March 2024. They are pictured here together
Post-mortem examinations found Ms Harrison had suffered multiple injuries while her daughter died from a head injury
Eyewitness Philip Askew was walking his dog when he saw a woman and child heading towards the pedestrian crossing but briefly turned away prior to the crash
'When I drove closer, I saw the woman and a smaller person, with their heads down, step out into the road.
'They were holding hands. They stepped out in front of my car.'
Mrs Marriott said she immediately braked and came to a stop.
'I do believe the lights were green when I drove through and think that the pedestrian misjudged the lights. I am so sorry, I am in shock,' she added.
Eyewitness Philip Askew was walking his dog when he saw a woman and child heading towards the pedestrian crossing but briefly turned away prior to the crash.
'I heard an almighty bang and then scream. I turned round immediately to see what it was,' he said.
Mr Askew said others went immediately to give first aid to Ms Harrison and her daughter.
He added: 'I did not see a pedestrian step out into the road.
Mr Askew said others went immediately to give first aid to Ms Harrison and her daughter
Pc Mel Inness, a forensic collision investigator, said there were no defects with the car and there was no evidence from the scene to assist with assessing speed or reaction time of the driver
'I did not see the colour of the pedestrian control traffic lights at the time and collision itself. I did not see the collision itself take place.'
Karen Bull, who lives nearby, said she heard a noise that sounded like a car over–revving.
'I didn't see the car, I just heard it,' she said.
'The pedestrians were crossing the road. My attention was drawn to the pedestrians, so I didn't look to see the colour of the lights on the crossing.
'They appeared to be walking calmly and at normal pace. I heard a horrible noise. I can't get the noise out of my head.'
Pc Mel Inness, a forensic collision investigator, said there were no defects with the car and there was no evidence from the scene to assist with assessing speed or reaction time of the driver.
She said: 'There was nothing within the physical evidence to indicate emergency braking immediately prior to or post–impact but this does not preclude it from having occurred.
'It is not known what colour the traffic lights were at the point the Nissan approached the collision scene or at what point the pedestrians stepped in the road.
'There is nothing from within the physical evidence from which I can calculate speed at impact, or on the approach to.'
The inquest continues.
Badenoch blasts 'moaning' female Labour MPs over Burnham jobs 'quota'
Kemi Badenoch has told Labour women to earn a job in Andy Burnham's Cabinet instead of demanding they are handed jobs because of their gender.
The Tory leader lashed out today amid reports that female MPs are demanding the de-facto new prime minister introduce a 50:50 gender split 'quota' in his government.
Amid reports that former foreign secretary David Miliband is being lined up to return to the role, possibly with his brother Ed as Chancellor, one female minister also complained that Burnham could not have 'more Milibands than women' in the top posts.
But in a scathing article in the Times today Mrs Badenoch told them to 'stop moaning' and get chosen on merit instead of retreating into 'more of the failed identity politics that is holding back our country'.
'There are many, many reasons why you shouldn't have any Milibands in the cabinet,' she said.
'But complaining that the boys haven't given them the right jobs or that the boys are taking all the jobs, just shows that Labour's women still don't get it.'
The idea of quotas was also attacked by Baroness Jacqui Smith, Labour's Skills Minister.
Asked by Times Radio if Mr Burnham should reserve jobs for women, she said: 'No, I think what Andy Burnham should be doing is building the very best team around him to change this country.'
A letter written by the Women's Parliamentary Labour Party has called on Mr Burnham to ensure a 50:50 split between men and women in government jobs
Amid reports that former foreign secretary David Miliband (above, right, in 2010) is being lined up to return to the role, possibly with his brother Ed as Chancellor, one female minister complained that Burnham could not have 'more Milibands than women' in the top posts
But Mrs Badenoch told them to pipe down and get chosen on merit instead of retreating into 'more of the failed identity politics that is holding back our country'
A letter written by the Women's Parliamentary Labour Party and seen by the BBC has called on Mr Burnham to ensure a 50:50 split between men and women in government jobs after he succeeds Sir Keir Starmer.
'We are asking you to demonstrate this change from day one and address the toxicity and misogyny within our own party and government,' it said.
Labour has never had a female leader, while the Conservatives have had three, and Mrs Badenoch urged the government to follow its meritocratic example.
'If you run a meritocracy, then you do not have to worry about jobs for the boys,' she wrote.
'Every woman who is a Conservative MP, every woman who has ever won the leadership, has had to fight to get where she is.
'By contrast, Labour women are demanding guarantees from Burnham. But the truth is he doesn't have to give any guarantees.
'If none of Labour's women are prepared to get their hands dirty and challenge him for the leadership, their demands are toothless.'
'In fact, it's quite revealing that the women's parliamentary Labour Party has written to Burnham asking him to commit himself to at least 50 per cent female ministers.
'This has nothing to do with meritocracy. It is yet more of the failed identity politics that is holding back our country.'
