Mother dies after being knocked down by her learner-driver daughter, 17, as she waved her into parking space

By Daily Mail Reporter


A mother has died after being knocked down by her 17-year-old learner-driver daughter as she was waving her into a parking space.

Mother-of-three Sue Duke was standing behind the Ford Ka helping to direct daughter Lauren into a space in the car park of the social club where she worked.

The 41-year-old was crushed against another car, suffering a serious head injury and was flown by air ambulance from the scene at Cuxton Social Club near Rochester, Kent, to the Royal London Hospital in Whitechapel.

Tragic: Learner driver Lauren Duke, left, reversed and struck her mother Sue, 41, in the car park of the social club near Rochester, Kent, where she worked behind the bar

Horror: The car park where the tragic accident took place on Monday morning


She was pronounced dead at the specialist neurological hospital last night.

A police spokesman said: 'A woman who was in collision with a car in Cuxton has died in hospital.

'Police were alerted to the incident at around 11.20am on Monday, 18 July.

'It is reported that the female pedestrian, who is 41, suffered serious head injuries after the collision involving a Ford Ka.

'The incident occurred in the car park of a social club in Bush Road, Cuxton.
'The woman was taken to a London hospital by Air Ambulance and sadly died yesterday.

'The Serious Collision Investigation Unit are appealing for information.'

A woman eyewitness, who asked not to be named, said: 'We were arriving at the social club when it happened. It was absolutely awful.

'The young girl was in the car reversing and her mum Sue was standing out of the car, directing her into a space. Suddenly the car sped into another parked car, crashing into it.

'At first we didn't realise Sue had been hit, we just saw the damage to the car. But then we saw Sue lying on the ground.

'She had been hit on the head, there was blood everywhere. It was catastrophic.
'We just tried to help her and comfort her before an ambulance got there.

'The girl was hysterical, she was screaming and crying, it was so awful. We tried to calm her down but she was so upset.'

The accident happened at the social club where Mrs Duke works as a steward behind the bar.


Treatment: Doctors at the Royal London Hospital spent two days trying to save the mother-of-three but she died last night


Mrs Duke's husband and three children, daughters Brogan, 21, Lauren, 17, and son Callum, 10, were said to be by her hospital bedside.

A neighbour said: 'I saw Lauren shortly after it happened on Monday and she was in a terrible state. She couldn't stop crying and could barely speak.

'She said her mum was in a very serious condition and possibly had suffered brain damage.'

Family friend Ann Stocker, 63, said: 'They are a lovely family and are very well known in the area. They are a very big family in the community and a very friendly family.'

A Kent Police spokesman said: 'No arrests have been made in relation to the incident.'

A 17-year-old is allowed to drive a car on the road if they are accompanied by a qualified driver and are displaying learner signs, and a 17-year-old is allowed to practise off a public highway.


source:dailymail