Officer tells of 'killing' driver

Amanda Torkington died in the crash

A police officer told a colleague she had killed a driver whose car she crashed into, a court has heard.

Physiotherapist Amanda Torkington, 36, died moments after her Citroen Saxo was in collision with Pc Janet Wynne Jones's police van in November 2006.

Pc Jones, 31, has denied causing death by dangerous driving in the collision in Baguley, Greater Manchester.

Pc Kate Grundy told Liverpool Crown Court that Ms Jones spoke of her role in the accident while at hospital.

Ms Jones had been responding to a call for assistance in a row over a bus fare when the crash happened on Altrincham Road.

Ms Grundy, who made the call, told the court that Ms Jones spoke about the accident while she was waiting to be treated at hospital.

'No braking'

Under questioning from Rowena Goode, prosecuting, Pc Grundy said: "She did say something to me.

"She said she had killed her. I think she made reference to the fact that the vehicle just pulled out in front of her."

Ms Jones, of Greater Manchester Police, drove through two sets of red traffic lights before her van hit Ms Torkington's car, the court heard.

Accident investigator Pc David Pool said Ms Jones' van was travelling at up to 60mph on a 30mph road and was "travelling further than it would have done under braking".

He added: "I am quite satisfied because of marks in the grass it doesn't indicate any braking."

But under cross examination from Robin Sellers, defending, he said he could not exclude the possibility of Jones "emergency braking prior to impact".

The case continues.