A woman in her 90s has died following a two-car collision in Staffordshire. The incident occurred on Bowsey Wood Road in Madeley, Newcastle-under-Lyme, at approximately 1.35pm on Friday, July 31.
Collision details
The woman was a passenger in a silver Ford that collided with a red BMW. Emergency services were called to the scene, but sadly, the woman was pronounced dead at the scene. Staffordshire Police confirmed that her next of kin are being supported by specially-trained officers.
The driver and two other passengers from the Ford were taken to hospital with minor injuries. The driver of the BMW was not injured in the incident.
Police appeal for information
Staffordshire Police are now appealing for witnesses or anyone with dashcam footage to come forward. A spokesperson for the force said: "A woman has sadly died following a collision in Newcastle-under-Lyme. We were called at 1.35pm on Friday (July 31) to Bowsey Wood Road in Madeley following reports of a collision involving a red BMW and a silver Ford. A passenger in the Ford, a woman in her 90s, sadly died at the scene. Her next of kin are being supported by specially-trained officers. The driver and two other passengers in the Ford were taken to hospital with minor injuries. The driver of the BMW was not injured."
How to help
Anyone who was travelling in the area at the time and has information or footage that could assist collision investigators is urged to contact Staffordshire Police on 101, quoting incident 418 of 31 July, or use the Live Chat on their website. Alternatively, they can email collision investigators directly at ciu@staffordshire.police.uk.
The road was closed for several hours while investigators examined the scene, causing disruption for local motorists. The incident has prompted renewed calls for road safety measures on rural roads in the area, which are often used by commuters and agricultural vehicles.
This tragic event highlights the vulnerability of elderly passengers in road traffic collisions. According to recent statistics, older adults are at higher risk of serious injury or death in car crashes due to age-related frailty. Road safety charities have long campaigned for improved safety measures, particularly on rural roads where speed limits are often higher and visibility can be limited.
Local residents have expressed their shock at the incident, with many taking to social media to offer condolences to the family of the deceased. The community in Madeley is close-knit, and the loss of a resident in such circumstances has deeply affected those who knew her.
Staffordshire Police have confirmed that the investigation is ongoing and that they are following several lines of inquiry. They have not yet released the name of the deceased, pending formal identification and notification of all family members.
This incident serves as a reminder to all road users to remain vigilant and drive with care, especially on rural roads where unexpected hazards can arise. The police are particularly interested in speaking to anyone who may have seen the vehicles prior to the collision or who witnessed the incident itself.
