A 22-year-old woman who died after being hit by a police car has been described as having hands full of Christmas presents when the incident took place.
Rachael Louise Moore lost her life as she was walking on Sheil Road in Liverpool at about 8.10pm on Christmas Eve, when she was struck by the marked police car.
She was confirmed dead at the scene, and afterwards was described by her family as the 'cherished daughter of Alison and Ian, sister to Ben and much loved granddaughter of Nana Sue, partner to Jack and caring friend to many'.
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Moore had been shopping for Christmas presents prior to the incident, and a witness to the tragic event has recalled the moment they heard the 'bang' of the collision.
"My boyfriend’s sister-in-law said the woman was waiting to cross the road and had Christmas shopping bags in both hands," they told the Metro.
"The girl went to cross the road and out of nowhere, a police car hit her. I heard a bang and ran out following my boyfriend."
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The witness described how the police attempted to give her CPR, and said seeing the 22-year-old lying 'in the cold' is something they will 'never forget'.
"I’ll never get her out of my head – her poor family," they said.
The witness saw police 'picking up all the lady’s Christmas present bags off the floor’ following the incident.
Moore's family said the young woman will be 'greatly missed by all those whose lives she touched'.
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"The family requests their privacy be respected at this devastating time," their statement added.
Police have urged witnesses and people with information to come forward about the incident, which has also sparked an investigation from the Independent Office for Police Conduct (IOPC).
A referral to the police watchdog is mandatory when a person dies or sustains serious injuries following police contact.
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A spokesperson for the organisation commented: "Our sympathies are with Rachael’s family and friends and to all those affected by this tragic incident. We have been in contact with the family to express our condolences and explain our role.
"After being notified about the incident by Merseyside Police we sent investigators to the scene and to the post-incident procedures to begin gathering the available evidence. Our investigation is in its very early stages."
Anyone who witnessed the crash or captured footage on CCTV or dashcam is being asked to contact the Serious Collision Investigation Unit on (0151) 777 5747, by email at [email protected], via @MerPolCC on Twitter or via ‘Merseyside Police Contact Centre’ on Facebook, with reference 857 of Saturday 24 December.
Emily Brown