Rumour plea over police car death

Hayley Adamson was about to sit GCSE exams

The family of a girl killed by a police car have called on people to wait for the outcome of an inquiry into the death and "not spread rumours".

Hayley Adamson, 16, was struck as she crossed Newcastle's Denton Road, late on Monday night.

The Independent Police Complaints Commission (IPCC) is conducting an investigation into the incident.

It is yet to establish if the patrol car's emergency blue lights and siren were in use.

However, it has announced that the car did have its headlights on at the time.

On Friday, her family paid tribute to the popular and "bubbly" schoolgirl, who was due to sit her GCSEs this week.

Family 'devastated'

A family statement released by the IPCC said: "We are absolutely devastated by Hayley's death and are struggling to come to terms with everything that has happened.

"Our beautiful daughter filled people's lives with love, fun and laughter."

The family, who include mother Yvonne Adamson and Hayley's elder sister Sarah Ridley, said her death had left many unanswered questions.

"Everyone who knew Hayley is understandably upset and they want answers too.

"But we know there is an ongoing investigation and we would like people to wait for the outcome of that and not spread rumours."

The Northumbria Police driver - who has been taken off operational duty - had been responding to the activation of his vehicle's automatic number plate recognition system when the collision happened.

The IPCC investigation will also look at the actions of a second patrol car, which arrived at the scene seconds after the fatal crash.

Specialist accident investigators from Durham Police have been brought in by the IPCC to assist the inquiry.