THE grieving parents of a woman killed by a speeding police van are demanding answers from the police force which has taken responsibility.

Aimee Welsh announced her engagement only hours before she was fatally injured on October 18, 2008.

The 25-year-old and her fiance, Anthony Theakston, had been telling family about their plans to marry and buy a house together when her Peugeot 207 was hit by a police van near Newport Bridge, in Middlesbrough.

Her parents have won a civil case against the Cleveland Police after the officer driving, PC Thomas Hart, was acquitted of criminal charges over two trials that revealed serious failings by the force.

Miss Welsh suffered serious injuries as a result of the accident and died in hospital a month later.

Her parents have welcomed Cleveland Police’s admission of liability, but say the police need to “come clean” about the failures that led to her death.

Her father, David Welsh, said he thought his family deserved to know the truth.

“We’re obviously pleased that the police have admitted liability, but we don’t see how they can just admit they were at fault and then refuse to explain why,” he said.

“We have a right to know how the police allowed this to happen and that the failures that caused Aimee’s death have been properly addressed.

“No one else should have to lose a child the way we have, even two years after the accident every day without Aimee is hard. If we’re going to get some closure then we need some answers.”

Diane Davison, from Thompsons Solicitors, which represented the family in court, said: “Although the police are allowed to exceed the speed limit when attending emergencies, they still have to drive safely for the road conditions.

“The officer here lost control of his vehicle driving at speed around a bend while it was raining, and in a vehicle that had not been properly maintained. It was an accident waiting to happen.”

She said that while the police have admitted liability for the accident, the force continues to refuse to release information about the failures that led to it.

Derek Bonnard, Deputy Chief Constable of Cleveland Police, said: “Our thoughts remain with Aimee’s family and we have been in touch regarding this matter. We hope to have a resolution for them as soon as possible.”