Passenger dies after suffering serious injuries when 'driver braked sharply'

Daily Mirror

04-07-2025

Patricia Eastick, 82, was in the passenger seat of a white Mercedes just before 8pm on Wednesday in Hull when the driver slapped the brakes and avoided a collision with a silver Volkswagen - but Patricia was left with fatal injuries
A woman suffered fatal injuries after the person driving the car she was in "braked sharply".
Police have launched an appeal for dashcam footage and witness testimony after the death of 82-year-old Patricia Eastick in Hull on Wednesday night.
Patricia - whose name was released by her family - was riding passenger in a white Mercedes at around 7.55pm when the driver hit the brakes to avoid a silver Volkswagen that was performing a manoeuvre in the road.
Despite the two vehicles avoiding a collision, Patricia sustained serious injuries. She was rushed to hospital, where she was tragically pronounced dead some time later.
The 82-year-old's family are now in contact with specially trained officers, according to Hull Live.
A spokesperson for Humberside Police said: "At approximately 7.55pm, it is reported that a white Mercedes was travelling northbound along Beverley Road, near to the junction of Grafton Street. It is believed that the driver of the Mercedes braked sharply in response to a manoeuvre made by a silver Volkswagen travelling in the area.
"Whilst initial lines of enquiries have been conducted and the vehicles are not thought to have collided at this stage, the passenger of the Mercedes, Patricia, sustained serious injuries as the vehicle came to a stop. Emergency services were deployed, and Patricia was taken to hospital for treatment but passed away a short time later.
"Her family have been informed and are being supported by specially trained officers. Our thoughts are with them at this incredibly difficult time."
They added: "Investigations are now underway and we are appealing directly to the driver of the silver Volkswagen to please come forward as we believe they may be able to assist with our enquiries.
"If you witnessed the incident or was in the area around the time, or if you have dashcam or CCTV footage, please contact us on our non-emergency number 101, quoting log 502 of 2 July."
Earlier in June, a court heard how a US tourist visiting the Giant's Causeway in Northern Ireland caused a fatal crash after hitting the accelerator rather than the brake, before smashing into a pedestrian sitting on a bench.
US resident Cathy Stewart, 67, appeared at Coleraine Magistrates' court charged with causing death by careless driving. A police officer told the court the collision, involving a grey Ford Transit vehicle, happened at the front of the Causeway Hotel in Bushmills at around 12.15pm on Wednesday.
The officer said a pedestrian who was sitting on a bench was hit during the crash. The Helicopter Emergency Medical Service (HEMS) and Ambulance Service personnel rushed to the scene of the collision. The pedestrian was taken to Causeway Hospital in Coleraine but sadly died of her injuries.
In court, the police officer said footage obtained from the hotel showed the vehicle being "parked in a disabled parking bay" before passengers departed, Belfast Live reports. The court heard that the footage shows the vehicle "move forward slowly" before it "suddenly bolts forward".
The deceased's brother, who was also sitting on the bench, managed to "jump out of the way" of the moving car, the court heard. The officer said Ms Stewart, who was cautioned at the scene, "gave an account consistent with the CCTV."