POLICE investigating a horror crash which left two pedestrians dead and another fighting for her life have traced a woman who had been a passenger in the car before it crashed.

Teacher Angela Ovington, 28, of Chester-le-Street, was killed instantly, while her friend, Susan Briggs, 30, from Durham, died four hours later in hospital after they were hit from behind by a BMW as they walked home from a night out in Huddersfield on Monday.

The car sped off after a police car stopped the driver in the town's red light district.

Yesterday, Detective Inspector Sam Cooke, of Huddersfield CID, said the woman passenger had been traced and had given a statement to police.

An inquest into the deaths of the two women opened in Bradford yesterday. Traffic Sergeant Peter Richmond told the inquest a patrol car had driven past the BMW and recognised the passenger.

As a result, they stopped and spoke to the occupants.

The woman got out, but the driver sped off.

Sgt Richmond said: "The driver apparently lost control and collided with a wall. From there it travelled up the pavement.

"Four ladies were walking in twos away from the car. The vehicle came up behind them and struck the first couple, Angela and Susan, from behind."

Of the other women, Victoria Fisher was struck, but Louise Tinkler jumped on a wall to avoid serious injury.

Sgt Richmond said the car then crashed into a wall.

West Yorkshire Coroner Roger Whittaker adjourned the inquest, and released the bodies for funerals in the North-East on Tuesday.

Ms Fisher 27, is in Leeds General Infirmary with serious injuries. Ms Tinkler, 28, also from Chester-le-Street, was released after hospital treatment.

l A 39-year-old man was arrested in connection with the incident and bailed