Pregnant mother-of-two, 38, who was killed in M66 crash was struck by speeding car after she’d pulled over onto the hard shoulder to answer a phone call, court is told
Pregnant mother-of-two, 38, who was killed in M66 crash was struck by speeding car after she'd pulled over onto the hard shoulder to answer a phone call, court is told
- Frankie Julia Hough, 38, died in hospital after the crash on the M66 near Bury
- The pregnant mother was hit by a speeding BMW after pulling over her car
A pregnant mother who was killed in a crash on the M66 was hit by a speeding motorist after pulling into the hard shoulder to answer a phone call, a pre-inquest hearing was told today.
Frankie Julia Hough, 38, from Chadderton in Oldham, died after being hit by an out-of-control BMW, while driving southbound on the M66, near Bury, at around 3.10pm on 13 May.
Today, it emerged the mother-of-two, who passed away in hospital two days after the collision, had pulled over onto the hard shoulder of the M66 to answer a phone call.
Adil Iqbal, 22, of Accrington, Lancashire, has been charged with one offence of causing death by dangerous driving and two offences of causing serious injury by dangerous driving, after he lost control of his speeding BMW.
At the time of the crash, Ms Hough was in the car with her four-year-old nephew and two young sons, aged nine and two.
Mother-of-two Frankie Julia Hough, 38, (pictured) suffered fatal injuries after being hit by a speeding BMW while answering a call on the hard shoulder of the M66 near Bury
The pregnant mother-of-two (pictured) died in the Royal Preston Hospital on 15 May two days after the crash on the M66
Ms Hough's youngest son Rocky, aged 2, suffered minor injuries. Her nephew, Tobias, 4, and nine-year-old son Tommy remain in hospital.
At a pre-inquest hearing held at Rochdale Coroners' Court today, police coroners' officer Tracy Bunn confirmed Ms Hough's full name, date of birth and address in Chadderton, as well as her occupation as a 'reiki practitioner'.
The officer also confirmed Ms Hough was single and died at Royal Preston Hospital on 15 May.
She was formally identified at the hospital by her father Frank Hough to a police constable, the court heard.
Giving brief circumstances of the crash, coroners' officer Bunn told the court: 'Frankie was traveling on the M66 heading towards Manchester.'
'Frankie pulled over to the hard shoulder. It's believed at this time she was answering a phone call.
'A vehicle being driven at excessive speed lost control causing the vehicle to collide with the rear of Frankie's car, causing it to rotate and come to rest in the main carriageway.'
Frankie Julia Hough (pictured) was in her car with her four-year old nephew and two young sons at the time of the crash on the M66
The officer confirmed Ms Hough was taken to Royal Preston Hospital with life threatening injuries and died on May 15. A post mortem examination concluded she died of head injuries.
The court heard a male had been arrested and charged, and that an investigation into the crash by GMP was 'ongoing'.
Assistant Coroner Matthew Cox adjourned inquest proceedings until the conclusion of the criminal proceedings.
The Manchester Evening News has previously reported tributes to Ms Hough who was described as a 'fierce mother with a heart of gold'.
Her brother-in-law Arron Welby said: 'She was the most amazing person, she had a heart of gold. She was a dedicated, fierce mother and she was a fighter for her kids.
'She was the best auntie. She was a shining light, she would protect her kids with everything she had.'
He added: 'She was pregnant and was only just celebrating the week before with a baby shower when she found out she was having a little girl. It's just so sad.'
References
- ^ Louis Goss (www.dailymail.co.uk)