A WOMAN who had absconded from a mental health hospital appeared to run straight into the path of a car, a inquest heard on Monday.

Hazel Nunn, from Watford in Hertfordshire, suffered catastrophic head injuries when she was hit by the red Seat Ibiza on the A181, near Old Cassop, near Durham, at about 2.30pm on June 1.

An inquest resumed at Crook Coroners’ Court last Friday, when the jury heard the 36-year-old had absconded from a mental health hospital in Hertfordshire the day before.

Yesterday, the car driver, Denise Cowie, said she had just driven over the brow of Silent Hill when Miss Nunn stepped into the road.

Mrs Cowie described braking and swerved away from Miss Nunn, who hesitated then ran into the path of her car.

PC Michael Woodhouse, a forensic collision investigator, said it was estimated that Mrs Cowie was travelling at 40mph on the 60 limit road at the time.

“There is nothing to suggest both in terms of our calculations and the damage to vehicle that it was a high speed collision,” he said. “There was insufficient time or distance to avoid the collision.”

He said Miss Nunn had either not seen the car, misjudged the situation or deliberately run in front of it

Another motorist, Stephen Robinson, told the inquest how Miss Nunn ran out in front of his vehicle minutes earlier.

Miss Nunn, who was head of research and evaluation at the Samaritans, was detained at Kingsley Green Hospital on May 27 for a mental health assessment. She presented clear symptoms of persecutory delusions, paranoia and anxiety, but had begun engaging with staff and had expressed a strong desire to “live without fear.”

She had made numerous 'to-do lists', which included tasks such as contacting her union and appointing someone to help make decisions while she was unwell.

Miss Nunn had no North-East connections and it is unknown why she got off the train at Durham, having bought a ticket to Edinburgh.

The inquest continues today, Tuesday, April 11.