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Woman, 90, killed when van crashes through wall into her living room

The van was left embedded in the semi-detached house in a cul-de-sac in Clevedon, North Somerset - SWNS.com
The van was left embedded in the semi-detached house in a cul-de-sac in Clevedon, North Somerset - SWNS.com

A 90-year-old woman was killed when a van careered off the road and smashed into her living room.

The pensioner was inside the semi-detached house in a cul-de-sac in Clevedon, North Somerset, when the white Ford Transit crashed.

Officers arrested a woman, 34, and a 33-year-old man on suspicion of causing death by dangerous driving.

Inspector Frazer Davey, from Avon and Somerset Police, said the van had left a pub shortly before the crash at 8.30pm on Wednesday.

"We have already reviewed some CCTV from the local area and, as a result of this process, we have identified a witness who we'd like to talk to," he said.

"At about 8.25pm someone is seen talking to the occupants of the van outside the pub.

"I'm keen for this person to call us as soon possible as I believe they may have information which could help our inquiry."

semi-detached house in a cul-de-sac in Clevedon, North Somerset - Credit: SWNS.com
The aftermath of the fatal crash Credit: SWNS.com

He also appealed for anyone who had seen the van in Clevedon on Wednesday, or had dashcam footage, to come forward.

"The van is quite distinctive as it is white with a black bonnet and two white stripes. It also has ladders on the roof," he said.

The arrested man and woman, believed to be from the local area, remain in police custody.

The woman's neighbours were evacuated after fears a gas pipe might have been damaged in the incident.

semi-detached house in a cul-de-sac in Clevedon, North Somerset - Credit: SWNS.com
After the crash, neighbours were evacuated after fears a gas pipe could have been damaged Credit: SWNS.com

They spoke of their shock at the incident, with some describing how they rescued two children from the van after the crash.

Colin Dicker, 80, who has lived in the area for 37 years, said: "We came back at 11pm and we saw the flashing lights and saw a number of emergency vehicles.

"It was certainly a shock - just unbelievable. I can't understand how it could happen. It is so sad that someone was killed in their own house, it is awful."

Clevedon - Credit: Google Street View
What the house looked like before the crash Credit: Google Street View

One neighbour said the van had crashed "straight through" the wall and into the woman's lounge.

Neighbour Paul Tree, 63, said: "We were sat in the front room watching TV, the wife and I, when a couple of emergency service vehicles went by, flashing.

"Then there was a whole convoy of flashing vehicles that rushed by and I opened the front door to see the street full of emergency services gathered.

He added: "People said that there was an elderly lady in the property. People said she was in her 90s. I don't know her though.

"The van had gone straight through the property. It was the lady's living room. Her home is a semi.

"Walking around the area this morning people are stopping each other and talking about it.

"It happened at 8.30pm. Just 100 yards away is a local school, and the kids were out playing ball in the road just an hour before."