Officer in court over death crash

Ms Torkington was on her way home from work

A physiotherapist died after her car was hit by a police van attending an emergency call over an argument about a bus fare, a court has heard.

Pc Janet Wynne Jones drove through two red lights before colliding with Amanda Torkington's car, in Baguley, Greater Manchester, a jury heard.

Ms Torkington, 37, was taken to hospital but was dead on arrival.

Pc Jones, 31, has denied causing death by dangerous driving on 29 November last year.

Liverpool Crown Court heard the van, which had been travelling at between 60mph and 70mph, hit the Citroen Saxo hatchback on Altrincham Road, sending it into a spin.

(Pc Jones') driving created an obvious danger to other road users Rowena Goode, prosecuting

The police van went on through a hedge and finally stopped 99m from the impact spot.

Rowena Goode, prosecuting, said Jones was at nearby Wythenshawe police station when she heard a radio call for assistance at an argument that had got "out of hand" between a youth and a bus driver about a fare.

Miss Goode said: "The prosecution say the defendant's driving fell far below what was expected of a competent and careful driver for a number of reasons.

"And the manner of her driving created an obvious danger to other road users."

The van's siren was sounding and its flashing blue lights were on as Ms Torkington, from Edgeley, Stockport, Greater Manchester, emerged from behind another car off adjoining Hall Lane.

Ms Torkington, who worked at Wythenshawe Hospital in Baguley, had been on her way home from a church meeting when the collision happened.

The trial continues.