Arrest after woman run over

Beverley Smith had lived with her boyfriend for a year

Police investigating the death of a woman who was knocked down by a car in Middlesbrough have arrested a man they found hiding under a van.

Beverly Smith, 20, was hit by a car on Tuesday morning, on Cass House Road, in Hemlington, as she returned from a shopping trip with her mother.

Miss Smith later died at Middlesbrough's James Cook University Hospital, where she had worked in the x-ray department as a secretary.

Acting on a tip-off, police found a 34-year-old man hiding under a van in the Hemlington area and arrested him early on Wednesday.

He is due to be questioned at Middlesbrough Police Station.

Witness appeal

Ms Smith had been struck by a dark-coloured Ford Focus, which was found abandoned in nearby Nuneaton Drive.

Inspector Steve Lawson renewed his appeal for any witnesses to come forward, whether they saw the Ford before the collision, when it hit Miss Smith, or as it was driven away.

Miss Smith's mother, Norma Lawrence, said her daughter was an only child who had lived with her boyfriend for the past couple of years.

She had worked as a secretary at James Cook University Hospital for a year.

A post mortem examination was due to be carried out on Tuesday night.