Tragedy as pensioner dies after 'medical episode' at wheel in crash with motorhome

A pensioner has died after suffering a medical episode at the wheel and crashing into a motorhome.

Emergency crews rushed to the incident at the westerly entrance to Horton Drive in Cramlington, near the Brockwell Centre, on Sunday (May 5) morning.

It was reported a car had collided with a campervan at the roundabout with Northumberland Road and the driver of the car, a woman in her 80s, had suffered a medical episode.

She was taken to hospital but, despite the efforts of medics, died later that day.

The road was closed for several hours following the incident.

An eyewitness told The Northern Echo: “The road was totally closed. It looked like a car and motorhome had crashed and the car had come off worse. There were police everywhere.”

Northumbria Police said there are not believed to be any suspicious circumstances surrounding the woman’s death and her family are being supported by specialist officers.

A force spokesperson said: “Shortly before 10.20am on Sunday, May 5, we received a report that a car collided with a camper van at a roundabout on Horton Drive in Cramlington, near to Northumbrian Road.

“Emergency services attended the scene where it was reported that the female driver from the car had suffered a medical episode. The woman – in her 80s – was taken to hospital. However, despite the best efforts of medical staff, she was sadly pronounced deceased later that day.

“Her next of kin have been informed and are being supported by officers.

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“Officers do not believe there to be any suspicious circumstances surrounding the woman's death, and a report will be made for the coroner.”

A spokesperson for the North East Ambulance Service said: “We received a call at 10.19am on Sunday (May 5) morning to reports of a road traffic incident on the junction of Horton Drive and Ilford Avenue in Cramlington, Northumberland.

“We dispatched an ambulance crew, a clinical team leader, a duty officer, and a specialist paramedic to the scene, and an off-duty nurse provided additional initial support whilst our crews were travelling to the scene. One patient was taken to the Northumbria Specialist Emergency Care Hospital (NSECH) for further treatment.”