Pensioner was killed by sister’s car outside Pontefract Tesco

Molly Wood, 74, from Knottingley, died after the unoccupied burgundy coloured Kia Venga ‘lurched forward’ and hit her at around noon on Wednesday, March 25.

An inquest opening at Wakefield Coroner’s Court heard Mrs Wood became trapped under the car, which rolled into railings, and she died at the scene.

West Yorkshire Coroner David Hinchliff said: “At noon on March 25, Mrs Wood and her sister went by car to Tesco supermarket in Pontefract. Mrs Wood’s sister was driving the car which she parked in the supermarket car park in a parking bay.

“Both ladies got out and Mrs Wood was standing in front of the vehicle while her sister went for a ticket. Mrs Wood was talking to some friends who were also there and it appears the engine was still running.

“It’s not clear whether Mrs Wood’s sister sat in the vehicle or leaned in but it was at that point that the vehicle rolled forward hitting Mrs Wood causing her to be trapped under the vehicle.”

Mr Hinchliff said emergency services, including the Yorkshire Air Ambulance, attended the incident but Mrs Wood was pronounced dead at the scene.

He said a provisional post-mortem examination showed Mrs Wood died of multiple injuries. Mr Hinchliff added: “I will now adjourn the inquest pending the outcome of further enquiries and I await a full report from West Yorkshire Police’s Major Collision Enquiries team.”

Police said a 70-year-old woman was also taken to hospital with minor injuries.

Det Sgt Ann Drury, from West Yorkshire Police’s Major Collision Investigation unit, said: “The incident took place around midday on Wednesday, March 25 when the car, a burgundy coloured Kia Venga, was unoccupied and lurched forward colliding with two women who were standing towards the front of the vehicle.

“As a result of injuries sustained in the collision, a 74-year-old woman from Knottingley died at the scene.

“The other woman, 70, was not seriously injured in the incident but has been left badly shaken by what took place.

“This was a very tragic incident and I would like to hear from anyone who witnessed the collision and is yet to speak to police.”

Contact police on 101 quoting crime reference number 13150119473.